This Christmas Season

For some reason, this Christmas Season has been so much more stressful than in years past.  I believe it has a lot to do with the additional desire I've had to help others (and the extra time that takes).  While I know that serving is good, my balance has been thrown off, and I am sorely missing the quiet times during the day to sit and ponder and connect with God.

Today, I was able to slow down and take some of that time, and I was amazed to see how heightened my senses were to the wonderful little things that have been surrounding me this whole month!  My children!

I was putting together a Christmas wreath for Miriam's bedroom door (because Tane and Tait had one on theirs--and all things must be equal and fair wherever possible), and my ears perked up at Tane singing a christmas song in the other room.  It happened to be the song we traditionally sing as we deliver little gifts to our neighbors and wish them Joy for the season.  This was the first time I heard his version of the popular song ( he usually sings very softly in front of people) and I couldn't help but smile....

"We wish your a Merry Christmas,
 We wish your a Merry Christmas/
 We wish your a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year."

"Good tithings we bring to you and your kids,
 We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!"

As cute as it was...it was even more amazing to realize that he does listen to us when we explain things like tithing, and words like kin.  It was so fun to see how his 4 1/2 year old brain translated those concepts.

One of these days, I'm hoping to post a video of another recent precious moment:  Miriam skipping back the ipod over and over and over to memorize the words to Hilary Duff's "Santa Clause Lane".  If no one is watching her, she is quite the singer, dancer.

A few more precious moments:

Overhearing Miriam sing a made up song to Colter about the reason that we give gifts to each other at Christmastime...because the wise men brought gifts to honor and show love to Jesus.

Colter's first giggle, his constant smiles, and his flapping arms and legs and mouth when he gets excited and tries so hard to communicate with me.

Tait's not-so-quiet running dialogue during sacrament meeting, about every wonderful thing that enters his two and a half year old head.  And the many friends and neighbors who love to listen and laugh.

The creative new ways Blair has found to show his love for me this past month.  His quickness to say "sorry", and his even "quickerness" to forgive my "sorries".

Absolutely not one single complaint from Miriam or Tane this week when I asked them to do their daily chores...and even getting extra mile help vacuuming and mopping floors of all things!!!

Tait's darling lisping "I luf you mommy!"

Colter sleeping through the night 2 times this past week!

A husband who cheerfully occupies the kids when I desperately need some alone time.

Tait trying to hug the ginormous picture of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane in the entryway of our chapel saying "Jesus!  I luf Him, mommy!"

All of these have happened within the past week, and most of them today!  How many other darling, wonderful things have I missed during the rest of this month, while I've been so busy "doing"....
I will not be making that mistake anymore.  I plan to spend the rest of this season absorbing the tender moments with the wonderful little miracles that Heavenly Father has given me.  And learning from their childlike awe and faith of the greatest miracle of all--the birth of a Savior, and King!

My family......and me.

Recently I have been working to reconstruct some misconceptions I've formed about myself.  It's always an interesting journey to pause, evaluate, and sometimes redirect ones path to finding self, purpose, and happiness.  Perhaps one day I will have my vision restored, if I can ever fully peel off these crackling layers, and begin to see myself as I know God does....  But just for today, I feel grateful for the layers He has helped me remove in the past year.  This may not make sense to many of you, so I hasten to add the key to my search for self-understanding: 

That he who will find himself, must lose himself to God.

I was actually only intending to post this great picture of my family (we're so lucky to have a photographer in the family now--Thanks Terral!).  And I found myself thinking about what an influence these great people have had in shaping who I am, and who I am trying to become.  I sure love you Family!

Pensive photography

Miriam's Uncle Terral is photographer.  He asked us if he could use her as a model for a school project, and this is the end-result.  I love seeing this softer side of her.  It reminds me of several of the special attributes she came to earth with--compassion, kindness, nurturing, and sensitivity to the Spirit.

Angel of Mine

Seven week old sweetheart. 

Hmmm.  Can you tell what we like to do at our house?

We just can't get enough of his cuteness!

Haircuts

I always like to do something very different with my hair after I have a baby--as evidenced by my picture on my "Blessing Day" post.  I had my hair permed, and cut 8-10 inches off with layers.  Kind of drastic for me...and sadly, I miss my long hair.  I should have just stuck with curls for my "change". 

Miriam has been talking about getting her hair cut for a while, but I made her think about it for a long time before I consented (knowing how long it takes to grow out).  But she was sure that's what she wanted.  Blair was a little bummed about it. He really loved her long hair--but he wasn't the one who had to wade through the screaming and the crying every single morning trying to fix it.  (Can you tell I wasn't as sad to help her go "short?)  She really likes it, and it has made my mornings a lot more pleasant!

Blessing Day

We blessed Colter on November 1st.  He was 6 1/2 weeks old, and keeps growing at an incredible rate.  We had a record number of family members who were able to come and support us, and we had a wonderful brunch with all of them.  I'm so thankful Blair and I have large, loving, supportive families.  We love occasions that bring us together.

I'm also super grateful to see the way Blair honors the priesthood that he holds.  He has had many opportunities to use this special gift this year, and if anything, the respect and faith and awe we feel toward this sacred powers has increased with thought and use.

Colter is such an angelic addition to our family.  He so very rarely cries, and is easily comforted (at least by Mommy).  I'm not sure if my memory has just faded, but it sure seems like he is growing faster, and learning quicker than my other babies.  He definitely started smiling at us earlier.

Halloweeners

They hold a history fair at Miriam's school for Halloween, and each class dresses up according to a specific time period in history.  The first grade studied Ancient Egypt.  Miriam made a perfect little Egyptian Princess.

Of course that wasn't what she wanted to be for the "real" Halloween.  Thankfully the Tinkerbell costume from two years ago still fit nicely. That's our little little pixie!

I was really pleased with how Tane's Batman costume turned out.  And I discovered a new favorite craft help--sticky back felt!  I love convenient time-saving inventions like that.  I'm compiling a mental list of the people I want to meet and thank when I get to "the other side".  Whoever thought of this stress saver will get my thanks.  Along with the genius who came up with wet wipes--one of my all time favorite inventions!

Tait was our darling little "ghostie".  He really made trick-or-treating fun this year, walking up the street singing "Ha-ppee Ha-o-een!" over and over to anyone who would listen.  Along with his cute "tri-er trea".

Colter Washington Keck

Miriam, Tane and Tait welcome their baby brother, Colter Washington Keck to our family.

Born on September 16th, 2009, at 8:03 am in Payson, Utah.

Tipping the scale at 8lbs 7.5oz

Stretching the tape to 22inches!

Blair and Lisa having a DDR party. In an effort to encourage little Colter to join us, we decided to have a DDR party. Blair finally beat Lisa in one song, and it took a handicap to beat her.

This was an exciting experience for us because it was our first spontaneous birth. He got us out of bed at 3:30am this morning when Lisa's water broke. Lisa's labor was quite quick, surprising the doc. He barely showed up in time to catch him as he came out. What a handsome dude!

Lisa's one tough Mama! Literally! She got lots of kudos from the nurses about how tough she was during the labor and delivery. She had this baby naturally - without an epidural! You go girl!

The proud Papa. He had the easy job of rubbing Lisa's feet and back and wispering sweet nothings in her ear. He would try to make her laugh in the middle of a contraction. Then about 20 seconds later, Lisa would finally give him a courtesy smile.

Tait was naturally so sweet and gently with his new little baby brother, "Coh-ker." He was so excited to bring his mom a picture he drew and a special yellow rose he chose for her.

The kids were able to pick out a rose for their mother, they were so excited! Tane is a very kind and caring brother, it is easy to tell how much he loves his new little brother.

Miriam was very disappointed when she found out she wasn't getting a baby sister. She has since opened her heart and accepted her baby brother lovingly. She wrote Mom a special card telling her that she loved him and is going to do her very best for him. She is going to make a good diaper changer!

Mom and the kids - they have all had a special bonding at their individual births. It was a special moment when the kids came in and met their baby brother for the first time. They were all excited to give him hugs and hold him.

Two days ago Tane came up to Lisa and out of the blue said "When this baby comes out, Mom. He's gonna come out cheering for BYU."

Catching up...

Today I have only one goal. To catch up on all of the events (big and small) from May-September so that my next post can be all about Baby!

Having never attempted such a feat before, I don't know if it makes more logical sense to fit them all into several smaller posts in backward chronological order, or make one long post in a better time line. I think this will turn out sporadic, and jumpy at best...but I would like to have the memories recorded anyhow. And I do have a very good excuse. I've been busy making a baby this summer, and in spite of those amazing women who are able to carry and bear 7 or 13 children...number 4 has stretched me to my limits many times.

So having made my explanation, I will jump right in starting with the most recent...

Change of Season

Miriam started first grade this year. I had heard from so many mothers what an adjustment it takes to go from half-day Kindergarten to all-day school. Miriam took to the change like a fish takes to water. She was very ready to go back to school, and when I picked her up at the end of the day, she said it had gone by quickly! She is our social butterfly, and makes several new friends each week. She is also excelling with her reading and math. Now, if we could just get her to listen and focus on her chores at home for 5 minutes--we'll have it made!

Tane had a little bit harder time adjusting to having his sister and playmate gone all day. He is constantly asking me who he can play with if Tait is napping, or... if Tait's awake, he often wants to know who he can play with that's older. This particular day, I was very pleased to see him using his imagination with his cars, which have become his toy of choice since Miriam is no longer dictating the play. :)

Tait gave me a fit of the giggles when I saw half of his fruit roll up smeared all over his face. He had a great time posing for the pictures.

A cute recent funny story about Tait: We were playing "Mother, May I?" after family home evening one night. Tait heard Miriam tell Tane to take four baby steps, and his ears perked up at the word "baby. He ran across the room to where I was sitting, and gave my big round middle a giant hug. Then he looked up at me, and with the sweetest little Taiter voice said "I like baby!" (emphasizing the "like").

So, I had to include a pregnancy shot. Obviously, this has been a huge part of my life this past year. I have had borderline gestational diabetes with each of my prior pregnancies, but was always allowed to just control it with diet in the past. This time was different. I went off of refined sugars about 3 months ago, and a month later, I had to meet with a dietitian to learn all about exchanges, and everything that I couldn't eat, and to start monitoring my blood sugar levels 5 times a day. I followed the diet faithfully, and even lost weight in between doctor visits, but I was not able to get my blood sugar levels under control. So I've been on insulin for the past 5 weeks, and doing weekly non-stress tests & AFI's at the hospital.

The fatigue and the mood swings on top of the diet and insulin management have not made for an easy pregnancy...not to mention the fact that my body just feels older, and doesn't seem to be handling it as well. :) However, I have to add that I have the best support team in the world!! I am so very very grateful to my husband (who has willingly and without complaint allowed me to fix the things that I can eat for dinner for the whole family, and also stopped making Sunday desserts, and rubbed my feet and back more times than I can count, and has given me many priesthood blessings), and to my Mom (who has let me call and cry, or call and rejoice over small successes nearly everyday for the past 6 weeks, and given understanding and advice and encouragement) and to my Dad (for caring and calling just to see how I was--inspite of all of his aches and pains) and to each of my sisters ( who call and check up on me, and keep me in their prayers, and encourage me, and do body talk for me, and much more), and to my children (who have been amazingly patient and helpful through mom's craziness and laziness and everything in between--I can't wait to be normal for them again!). I am extremely blessed! Baby Keck--you and I are very loved, and this really has been a group effort!

August

Early in August, Blair and I had several of his Aunts & Uncles, and some of his cousins over for dinner. Elmo & Blair even persuaded most of them to get up and Dance Dance Revolution! It was fun to introduce the older generation to the art of interactive video gaming. Some of them can really move! We had a great time having them over--not only am I married to a wonderful man, but I enjoy being a part of his wonderful family as well!

Aunt Rachel hosted a sleepover party for the older boy cousins...

and the girl cousins, since they couldn't seem to get enough of each other this summer.

She took them swimming, and miniature golfing among all their other separate boy/girl activities. Miriam and Tane had so much fun being with their cousins, and Aunt Rachel was so generous with her home & time & talents to make such a memorable experience for them all.

Miriam informed me during the summer that she was ready to move back to her own room (she had been sharing with Tane for about the past 6 or 8 months). I told her that as soon as she could go downstairs to the basement (where both bedrooms are) without having to coerce someone into going with her, that I would let her move back. She overcame her fear of the dark, and has taken control of her imagination in a remarkably short amount of time. So here she is, back in her "girly" room full of girl power personality!

I think I've mentioned before how much our kids love to put on shows for the adults in the Henke clan. Sometimes they are musical, sometimes they are a skit, sometimes they are impromptu and unrehearsed. It's very fun as a parent to sit back and watch my children get along with their cousins so well, and to see their confidence grow as they share their talents with us.

Around the middle of August, my brother Matt came home on a medical release. He had injured his knee several times prior to leaving on his mission, and reinjured it pretty badly out in the field. It was not easy for him to have to leave the work he loved and take a 6 week-3 month break in the middle of his mission, but it was meant to be. Things fell into place and he was able to have his surgery within 24 hours of returning home, and jump onto the path of healing. He has already been approved to return back to the field (same mission) next week, having made an amazing 6 week recovery. We have all really enjoyed having him home, and seeing how he has changed in the past year, and being uplifted by his humorous and affectionate personality. He and my mom have done last of traveling in the past month spending time with family, and we will miss him as he goes back. But hey, how many people get to have their missionary home for a 6 week visit halfway through?

These are a few pictures from our welcome home dinner for him. Matt can make my kids laugh like no other. We have sure loved having him around, and are glad he is returning to finish out an honorable and faithful mission!

Also in August, we were able to help pull off a surprise birthday party for Blair's mom. His dad took her away to Park City, and came home to a family dinner we had all ready for her. All the kids and grand kids spent the previous week putting together pages of memories, pictures, and thoughts about Nana! It was special to be able to share some of the things we love and admire and remember about his wonderful mother.

July

Another highlight of our summer, was the Henke family reunion we had at Pine Lake. We spent Wednesday through Sunday at the beginning of July camping with my whole family (minus my missionary brother, Matt-whom we missed). As you can tell, the 4-wheelers were a big hit as usual, and it was a rare moment when we didn't have at least 2 or 3 husbands absent from the main camp--off exploring some new trail or finding a spectacular mountain view.

The guys were generous enough to give all the girls a turn on one of our last days there. So we packed up Grandma, all of her daughters, and all the granddaughters (minus baby Kailey), and spent the morning driving up the mountainside to Powell Point.

It was fun to have some time mommy-daughter time with Miriam, since we pretty much don't see her except for mealtime and bedtime when the cousins get together. The weather turned rainy and it got very cold the higher we climbed up the mountain. Noboday had thought to bring jackets (it was July) on our ride, and it was freezing! I ended up putting Miriam behind me snuggled into my shirt as best she could, and she impressed me with what a trooper she was inspite of the cold.

Grandma did have a blanket she was sitting on, so when we finally reached the top, we all huddled together to try and get warm for a few minutes.

I am so very blessed to have such a fantastic mom and wonderful sisters! It's not very often we get a picture with all of us together like this. Left to right: Me, Lynae, Rachel, Diane, Mom, Sarah, Mary. As a side note, I must have a great family to be able to enjoy camping for that long seven months pregnant.

Some other fun highlight from our trip:

Diane & Mike had canvas backpacks for all the kids to decorate and use for our family nature scavenger hunt. They did a great job hosting/planning the whole reunion.

Muscle testing, body talk, and matrix energetics--which are frequently a part of things when we get together.

Watching the kids explore and play together so well.

Getting very very dirty!

Swinging and singing and laughing in the hammock at the Thompson's campsite.

One of the traditions I love in my family is that we hold an extended family home evening every other month. This year our turn to give the lesson coincided with our reunion. It was fun to have all three of our kids help us give our lesson about the "bee"attitudes that Jesus taught us to live by.

The whole clan attending Family Home Evening.

And what would a Henke family gathering be without the girl cousins instigating a performance of some kind? In this case, it was a skit about some of the great nature finds they made.

Also in July...

We celebrated seven years of married life! They have been sweet and challenging, and filled with sacrifice, and growth, and love! I couldn't imagine life with anyone besides Blair. He is my best friend and my perfect fit! I am so happy Heavenly Father helped us find each other, and helps enrich our lives together. The picture I have of us on our special weekend did not turn out. So I opted to post one of the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Henke as a tribute and a thank you for taking the kids for two days so that Blair and I could come home and enjoy a quiet house and a some inexpensive alone time. I know it wasn't easy....so THANKS Mom and Dad! Our two days together were pretty much perfect!