Girls

Baby Girl
Nestled sweetly in your arms,
Is a touch of the Father's love.
A tiny, slumbering baby girl,
Fresh from Heaven above.
Cherish each tender moment,
As you look on her tiny face;
For you're holding a priceless treasure,
Wrapped in ribbons, roses and lace.

Soon, this tiny bundle of pink,
Will grow into a little girl;
With baby dolls and dress up clothes,
And a ballerina twirl.
With a sparkle in her laughing eyes,
She'll steal away our hearts.
What's that?... little boy parts?

We had our ultrasound today, the doctor made the call
and we were surprised to find
that what we had been expecting,
wasn't what we were expecting at all.
But when it is all said and done, we don't mind,
Now we'll have two of the same kind.
(Adapted from a poem by Allison Chambers Coxsey)

I just want everyone to know that I in no way claim to have any poetry skills in any way shape or form. I know I have probably messed up the rhythm and all that stuff. But I got a few rhymes in. :) I say this so no one will feel bad for me thinking I really think I have any ability. But... I thought it would be a fun way to share the news. And contrary to what it may seem like from the poem, we are super excited to have two boys. I am starting to see that I will be watching football for the rest of my life and that Pride and Prejudice won't be a commonly watched movie in our house. I think I can accept all of this. :)

Jeff's first girlfriend

Jeff just loves this little girl. When she comes over he gets giddy and runs around the house squealing with glee. He also does everything he can to get her do play with him and do all the stuff big kids do. I am trying to arrange a marriage, but this girl's dad is giving me some trouble about it. Sorry Jeff, I tried.

Face

I love this face!

Sacked out!

I just love these pictures because this rarely (like twice) happens. Jeff was playing in his room having a grand 'ol time and I was in working on the computer. When suddenly, I hear something I shouldn't hear... silence. I go in to investigate and this is what I find. Jeff sacked out with his favorite blanket, and a fruit snack package in hand. Too fun to see.

Basketball Charity

"The reason charity never fails and the reason charity is greater than even the most significant acts of goodness he cited is that charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moro. 7:47), is not an act but a condition or state of being. Charity is attained through a succession of acts that result in a conversion. Charity is something one becomes."

-Elder Dallin H. Oaks
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

I have actually been thinking about this post for a long time. I shared a lesson about charity when I went visiting teaching and that got my mind rolling and thinking about all of charitable acts others have done for me. So, these are not in any specific order but just some stories of things others have done for me that have really touched my heart and have stuck with me over the years/months/days. I have labeled the stories just so you know where one ends and the other begins... As it turns out, I think there are too many for one post, so I will just post one at at time and you can look forward to future heart-warming stories.

Basketball
In high school I played basketball. My senior season started out great and I thought I was going to be a big shot. Then, the tables turned. I started have bad game after bad game. I was really down about this. It seemed that no matter how much I pushed myself or tried to do better, I would only stress myself out more and have another terrible game with lots of turn overs and missed shots. To be honest, at the time it was devastating to me. I remember after one game I just cried me eyes out the entire bus ride home. Thankfully it was dark so no one else saw how pathetic I was.

Before one away game against a team who creamed us on our home court we all headed to the locker room to get changed for the game. It was kind of a foreboding feeling, as we all trudged out of the gym. Especially for me... because that one little red-headed girl was going to make me look bad again... and she was like the tiniest thing you have ever seen on the court.

As we were putting on our uniforms and fixing our hair (very necessary for girls, or else you end up eating fly-aways all night) I pulled my shoe out of my bag and started to put it on. I felt something in my shoe and investigated to find a note. Written in my little brother's scrawl was something like this.

"Dear Sadie, you are the best sister ever and I just wanted to let you know that I look up to you a lot. Good luck tonight. Love, Brett"

Well, I usually tried to hold my tears until after the games when I knew for sure it didn't go well, but Brettski's letter was an exception. It was just what I needed that night. It felt so good to know that even if I wasn't an amazing basketball star that my little brother looked up to me.

The game didn't go well. I got pulled after making all kinds of mistakes. But looking back, it really didn't matter.

Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas, even though we couldn't be close to any "real" family. We spent a lot of time with people in our ward. In fact, I haven't had to make a meal for about a week now. Kind of nice.

Here are some pictures of Jeff and Scott playing with Jeff's new scooter/bike that he got from Grandma and Grandpa Goddard. He loves it. As you can see they both had fun trying to figure everything out.

Jeff and Scott are wearing their Christmas PJ's. We got them on Christmas Eve and put them on. It was the gift we got to open before Christmas morning.

This is what I got for Christmas from Scott. We had a rule this year that we had to make our gifts. If you don't know what it is... you are really missing out in life. Actually, I thought it was a calender at first. It really is a Wacky Six game. He spent hours and hours cutting, painting, and repainting when Jeff attacked cards. On Christmas Eve he stayed up until 5 a.m. trying to get it finished.

A Scott and Sadie Goddard Christmas

I think we are a little unconventional. Our Stockings are hung next to our air conditioner.




Our tree is set up in front of our door.


And, unfortunately... I wrapped our gifts today. I have never considered myself a "crafty" person. But holy cow, I can't even wrap a gift without showing off a little of the box underneath. Sorry mom, I tried.

Prayer

I grew up being taught to pray to my Heavenly Father. I did most of the time. As I got older, I did better about saying my prayers every morning and every evening. I thought perhaps, I had become good at prayers, simply because I was saying them at the appropriate times.

I have said prayers in which the words were hardly there, let alone my heart. Sure, I was saying them. Each night and each morning I would kneel, or maybe slump, or if I was really tired lay through each prayer. Saying in words what I thought I should be saying, but having my mind on things far from my love for my Father in Heaven who loved me. Or far from the thoughts of His Son, who came to Earth and gave himself as a sacrifice for my sins.

I admit that I have had times when my prayers were less prayers, but more mere mumblings. But I have had prayers where I was heard. I was heard not because at other times I was being ignored, but because this time I was reallying praying. Sincerely, humbly, pleading for God to direct and comfort me. I have felt the love of God and his concern for me as one of His children at these times.

I was heard because I was giving Him the opportunity to hear me. He was always wanting to listen, but I was never really talking to Him. I still have prayers that aren't really prayers. I hope that as I grow and become more of the person I want to be that I can actually commune with God. This is a lofty goal for me, but I am seeking after it.

Thanks for Hubbies

Yesterday Scott got to stay home and study for one of the classes he is taking. It was great to have him home because when Jeff was asleep I took off to do some shopping. By the time I got home I felt so sick I cried. Thankfully Scott was home to take care of things. I took some Tylenol (one of the few things I can take) and laid down for a bit. I woke up a little while later feeling much better only to realize I had slept for two hours. I was so thankful Scott was home to hold down the fort.

I got sick at Walgreen's, but I wanted to wait to get my pictures. I think the photo guy thought I was really mad because I kept blowing air out (in an attempt to keep from passing out) and laying my head down on my cart. The thing is that Scott and I have had these beautiful frames that we got for our wedding that still had the cheesy pictures they came with. And they were up on the wall for everyone to see... and we have been married for two plus years.

So, these pictures are what I sacrificed for, and I think it was totally worth it. Uh, well I guess if you want to see them you will have to come visit because they won't upload for some reason. All I get is a nice black box. Huh... well you can imagine how cute they were. :)

Ode to the tree

We went and got the first "real" Christmas tree in our marriage. I was so excited to drive home with it as a trophy on our car. It looks kind of small on top of the car, but let me assure you it is no puny Charlie Brown tree. In fact, as we were setting it up I kept saying how much I loved it and that it was so beautiful. Scott said, "If this tree's love language is words of affirmation, it should be one happy tree". But really, I love it. And it smells sooooo good.

Jeff and Scott doing the manly stuff, like setting up the tree

I think Scott likes the tree almost as much as I do. I think he is giving the tree a little hug in this photo.... which leads me to a funny story. Today Scott was talking about getting a potted tree because it was better for the environment. Then he got on the Internet and did some research. He told me that after he had researched things he felt okay about getting a real tree because from what a read it is healthier for then environment to have a real three than a fake plastic tree that will not biodegrade. I promptly started giving him a hard time about him being a tree hugger. He denies it, but says he doesn't like to kill things. Sheesh, some things you just don't learn about someone else until you have been married for a few years. Who knew? A tree hugger. :) All things said, I love the earth... but I also love my tree.

Self Improvement

So, I have decided to spend some time each day on self improvements. For example, when I lay down on the couch, I get my "Carpentry" book off the shelf and read it till I fall asleep. I have read a chapter about wood, and a chapter on lumber. The difference? I think it has something to do with how it is cut. I always drift off and whatever I do learn, I seem to lose during REM sleep or something.

Yesterday I decided to work on my guitar skills which included about five songs I could play parts of. Today, I can place five songs... and I have a new cord to add to my list of 5 cords. If that's not self-improvement, I don't know what is.

The bad side to all this self-improving I have been doing. My fingers are so puffy and red from the guitar strings,that I think I'll have to forgo any improvements today. I'm getting kind of tired, so maybe I will go find my "Carpentry" book.

Crazy Eights

8 things I'm passionate about
1. Marriage
2. Family
3. Religion
4. People
5. Budgeting
6. Goals
7. Reading
8. Improving myself

8 things I want to do before I die
1. Serve missions with Scott
2. See my children find happiness
3. Speak Spanish fluently
4. Write a book
5. Get my masters and PhD
6. Teach at a university
7. Live in a Latin country
8. Retire in Idaho

8 things I say often
1. No Jeff, you'll get hurt
2. Hon (short for honey)
3. Love you
4. What do you want, Jeff?
5. Hey Jeff, Cmeer
6. Daddy's home!!!
7. Uh-oh
8. Hey Sweetheart

8 books I've recently read or currently reading
1. Life of Pi
2. Peacegiver
3. Carpentry (a college textbook)
4. Whirley the Helicopter
5. Princess Diaries
6. The Book of Mormon
7. Midway to Heaven
8. 55 Essentials

8 songs I could listen to over and over
1. You raise me up
2. Oh my Father
3. Come thou Fount
4. Redeemer of Israel
5. Shout for Joy (Primary Song)
6. Somewhere over the rainbow (a guy singing it with a guitar)
7. Secret Prayer (in Spanish)
8. Anything Scott sings


8 things I've learned this past year
1. Raising teenagers is and will be stressful
2. Marriage really is the best thing ever
3. God blesses you even when you may not totally deserve it
4. Being a mother is hard work, but worth it for sure
5. Babysitting is EXPENSIVE on the East coast
6. Talking about the Gospel is fun
7. I don't know enough about the gospel
8. Choosing a good spouse is VERY important

The Delight of Cream Cheese

So, I have always thought that I like bagels and cream cheese. Until yesterday. I didn't have any bagels, and I had a craving for cream cheese. So, I tried it on toast, and I realized, all this time I thought I liked bagels, maybe I just liked the cream cheese. If this is true, I can save some cash because those things cost like $.75 each.

The bottom line is you can't trust your taste buds when you're pregnant. For example, when I was pregnant with Jeff, all I wanted to eat was noodles, cottage cheese, an salt and pepper. Yuck!

So, I guess I will have to wait until June to find out if I really do just like the cream cheese, or if bagels still have a place in my heart.

The Macy's Parade

This is us waiting for the parade. The weather was absolutely beautiful! We didn't even have to use all the blankets I packed.

This is our happy boy, even though he got up at 4:30 a.m. to make it to get our seats.

Here's another happy and sleepy boy.

This is proof that we made it to the parade, and the fact that I am writing this is proof that we made it home too.

We had a crazy day that started at 4:30 a.m. We met up with some friends of ours and headed into the City. We decided to park the cars out of the busy traffic and take a subway downtown. The drivers dropped us all off to hold a spot on the street and took the cars back up to a traffic free area. Once we got our spot, we just sat and waited. We also took lots of food.

There were so many people, I couldn't believe it. A guy who sings with N'Sync... I think... his name was Joey Fachoey or something like that sat across the street from us. He was on the bleachers that are reserved for ticket holders, but you can't buy the tickets. Tricky huh. I guess you have to know someone who knows someone. Anyway, we held our ground against the hordes of parade goers and got to see it up close and personal. One of the balloons (a big cat looking one) almost hit the light post above us. Luckily, the balloon string holders followed their leader guy who did some fancy hand gestures and blew his whistle and saved us.

Jeff loved it and was a gem all day, even though he had to wake up so early. He smiled and played with lots of other parade goers and made some friends. He is a great kid.

It was a fun experience, but all in all, I think you get a better view at home. Plus, you get all the commentary. All the commentary we got was people yelling at the other people to get down in front. Welcome to New York.

Rambling thoughts on children

I was driving through a ritzy neighborhood tonight. It was dark and I could see inside the houses with their big windows. Some had a few lights on and others didn't have any at all. I started to feel sorry for the houses that were quiet with darkness. They seemed so sad to be without voices of family and children calling to each other, playing games, or just getting ready for bed.

In Psalms 127 it says, "children are an heritage of the Lord... Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them"

I love this scripture, but at the same time it seems inadequate to describe the joys that come from being a mother. It doesn't seem to capture the feeling I had this morning when I open my eyes to a big blue-eyed face less than an inch from mine, and the ensuing smile that erupted when he realized I was not asleep anymore.

Or the feeling I got tonight when we had prayer and he folded his chubby little arms across his tummy and bowed his head. Most nights he interrupts the prayer briefly to sneak a kiss from either mom or dad.

I could tell countless stories of all the sweet feelings and experiences that I have had being a mom, but I am just not adequate to perfectly describe how it really feels. I am just so thankful to be a mother and to have my sweet little boy and all the diapers, hand prints, and Cheerio covered carpet that comes with him.

And in the end, maybe the scripture simply says it all. "Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them".

Ice Cream!

You're dramatic and unpredictable, like biting into a scoop of rocky road ice cream. Like rocky road, you can be a little bit nutty (or a little bit marshmallowy) depending on your mood. Your friends never know what they're going to get when they hang out with you – sometimes you're calm and sweet, and sometimes you're enthusiastic and flirty. 8% of the people who took this quiz got the same evaluation.

It looks like I may be a bit unique. Or maybe just crazy enough they can't put a label on me.

Look - A- Like

I just thought these were fun to see. Unfortunately, they are pretty vague about how much the kids look like their parents. I also found that if I used different pictures of Scott and I that I could get a little higher number. As you can see, I spent too much time in front of the computer today.

Scott and Mom and Dad

Brie, Joey, and CJ

David and Bonnie and Gina