When life happens....

We all experience life. Things happen. I have felt like I have a wonderful life, and have nothing worth complaining about (although I am a bit of a whiner when my body is out of sorts...natural man...what can I say?) I go about my daily business, doing my usual housework, play with the children, time with Shawn, etc. I read my scriptures regularly, with room to improve. I never doubt my beliefs, I never have a reason to. Recently, there was a tragedy in my extended family. I spent the majority of my Sabbath yesterday thinking about the turn of events. Thinking about my life. Tragedy has a way of shaking things up. I still did not doubt my beliefs. I found that in the moments of my day that were the hardest for me to get through, it was my very faith that sustained me. I hope the rest of my family found the same to be true. There is no greater solace than that which is found in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I felt very humbled by the situation. No one likes to be compelled to turn to the Lord. I did not feel compelled, rather, I felt deep feelings of gratitude for the testimony that I have of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the hope in His Atonement and Resurrection. Well, as a result, I have resolved to be a little better today. By better I mean a little nicer. A little cheerier. A little more selfless. (I do not necessarily mean a better mom or housekeeper...it is 10:45 am on Christmas Eve and 1 of my 3 kids is actually dressed.....hmmm) It is my hope that we all can resolve to be a little better without feeling compelled to do so.

Santa

Last night we took the kids to the mall to see Santa. Grant was so excited, the other 2 didn't care. Grant told him that he wanted some scissors (his latest favorite craft activity is cutting paper), and Nora just said 'Ho, ho, ho'

Cooking Class

Well, Shawn decided to host his own cooking class. The topic of the day: Scrambled Eggs. The audience was captivated. They had never seen anything like it.....

Loves his Daddy!!!

Wow! This has been a great weekend. This baby loves his Daddy! They are great pals.

Daddy's little girl...

What a great day! Nora just has been an angel. She wants her Daddy to hold her all the time, and she tells him everything she knows to say. As you can imagine, her Daddy's a pretty happy guy to have a gorgeous curly-haired toddler following him around!

Home at last!

Shawn is finally home! We are soooooooo happy to have him back. Grant had a chain counting down to the big day. We also made a sign for our wall, though the picture is a little dark. It seems like we were never apart!

Zoot Suit

My brotheris in a band called 'Little Big Band' for junior high kids. He picked up his costume on Friday....

A 5 lb difference

Here he is, little Alexander at 2 months and 10 days. I can't believe what a huge difference 5 lbs can make. He weighed 5 lb 9 oz at birth and is now a healthy 10 lb 8 oz!!!

the world's most powerful navy!

Since Hunt For Red October times, the US has had the rest of the world's navies outmatched by far. Recently more evidence of our superiority was on display in the Gulf of Guinea, a couple of hundred miles off the Western coast of Africa. We used one of our two SH-60B helicopters to airlift supplies from the USNS Bighorn, a big oiler/supply ship, onto our foc'sle (the forward topside deck on the ship). The operation was intensive logistically and required expert shiphandling, not to mention involving all hands for lugging the supplies below decks.

So, what was it that we received requiring such a high level of planning and resources? 28 enormous pallets of SODA. That's right, Coke, Dr Pepper, Root Beer, and Sprite. Only the world's finest Navy has the means and the will to pull off such a feat!

Never changed a diaper...

So the other night, my 18 year old, pre-mission brother was playing with Alex on the couch while I was bustling around trying to get people ready for bed. As usual, Alex's diaper needed to be changed, but Sir Ryan was not ready to give him up. Since I was a little preoccupied with whatever I was doing, I tossed him a diaper and some wipes and told him to make himself useful, half expecting to return 10 minutes later and change the diaper myself. I returned 10 minutes later and, lo and behold, there he was, changing his first dirty diaper! I had to capture it for proof that it actually happened. Ry has been fun to live with...most of the time. He is ready to hit the road and serve the Lord, but his birthday isn't until May! Poor kid!

Grant

This morning Grant woke up at 6am. Not a big deal as I was already up with Alex. He climbed into my bed and put my face in his hands and asked, "Mommy, are you my best friend?" Of course my heart melted. The other day he asked me if I might love him. What a cute boy! He has been very concerned about making sure everyone loves him, and it has been so fun to shower him with love. It's amazing how well he behaves when he feels that love and approval.

Cheerios

Today, Nora fed Grant his breakfast while she waited for her scrambled eggs. She was soooo proud of herself.

How do I love thee?

Let me count the ways!!!!!

I have developed a very special appreciation for my husband. I don't know if I will ever completely understand what drives him to do the things he does. Why join the military? I have asked myself that question a thousand times. Why did I jump on the bandwagon with him with such enthusiasm? The only answer I can come up with is just this...it is who he is. He does what he is. Perhaps all our great hubbies do that. They do what they are. Shawn loves an adventure....he loves feeling like the things he does everyday might make a difference in someone's life, or might influence the world for good. I suppose that is why I find myself grinning everytime I think about him or get a new picture in an email. He is doing what he is...making the world a better place one sleepless night at a time. I am doing the same thing on an entirely different scale. Only recently have I come to really understand the magnitude of motherhood. Who knew that chasing 3 little people around all day and night could be so exhausting? And so rewarding! My heart has ached for those couples who are separate for various reasons....especially those who are separate on purpose. I have made a new resolve to be a little kinder. In just 5 weeks we will all be together again. Strangely, I am a little nervous-anxious. I am nervous that I won't be as patient as I could be. I am worried that I will have forgotten how to be a good wife in the same house as my good husband (I think I've been a good wife from several thousand miles away). Sometimes I worry that I won't remember how to cook for just 2 adults and 2 kids again. (My mom still cooks 2 pans of everything...there are 3 teenage boys in this house!) All in all, this second experience of prolonged separation has been an excellent growing experience...but only if I can apply what I have learned. I am so excited not to have to miss my best friend at the end of the day! Oh how I do love thee!!!!

Hair Cut

Michelle is great about emailing me pictures of her and the kids - I probably get them at least 3 to 4 times per week. On Halloween she got her hair cut and emailed me these pictures of it below. Her hair was longer than it's ever been since I've known her - I think she looks fantastic. I can't wait to see it in person (just 5 weeks)!

A Man and his Beard

For $5, anyone on the ship could buy a "No-Shave" chit from the ship's MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) Committee as a fundraiser (females bought "Hair Down" chits). They went into effect when we pulled out of Pointe Noire, Congo, a week and a half ago, and lasted until this morning rigth before we pulled into Sao Vicente, Cape Verde. Above are the results of my efforts!

A Beautiful Afternoon

We went for a walk on Sunday afternoon at a place called Heritage Park in Cedar Hills, UT. It's a beautiful little place tucked up next to the lovely Wasatch Front. Dad took some great shots.....

A Handsome Sailor!

Harbor in Marmaris, Turkey - Aug 2007

Halloween

I (Mish) took Grant and Nora trick-or-treating this Halloween. Technically, it was trunk-or-treating.....the new and improved neighborhood tradition (at least in UT) where everyone lines up their cars and hands out candy from their trunks. I have mixed feelings about this.....perhaps I will expound some other time. Nora was extremely confused at the beginning of the evening. Why were all of these strangers giving her candy? Grant seemed to think he was born to trick-or-treat. He likes to sneak the candy out of his bag when I am not looking.

I decorated for the occassion by making a paper mache black widow's egg...hatching. It was creepy. I love it! I can't find the photo....check it out at familyfun.go.com.....

Family Blog

Staying close to family and friends while not being close at all geographically takes a lot of work, and hopefully this will help. Inspired by some friends already using Internet blogs, we wanted to experiment with one of our own. Currently Shawn is in the Atlantic Ocean onboard the guided missile destroyer USS FORREST SHERMAN, 4 months into deployment. He's going to do his best to provide regular updates with pictures and accounts of his seafaring adventures. Michelle and the kids are in Lehi, UT, staying with her family. The kids include Grant (3 years 4 months), Nora (20 months) and Alex (2 months). Michelle will endeavor to chronicle the triumphs and trevails of motherhood. We hope you enjoy the ride (see Ether 6:5-12)!