She Makes My Heart Happy

My sweet Devyn. Sometimes this kid gets a bad wrap because she's stubborn. But do you know what? She happens to be one of the sweetest kids I know. First we have the story of her giving up her prized baby swing for her new niece (it was a good 12" too small.. but..) and now today, a new sweet story.

A couple of my girls are bored stiff. Arryn and Devyn happen to be the only girls in our area in their age group so sometimes life just isn't fair for them. Avrie and Madison are invited to party after party because there are so many kids their age, but poor Arryn and Devyn just sit at home. Well today, Avrie has a birthday party to go to. Rather than begrudge her sister, Devyn has spent the day going through her stuff to find something for Avrie to give her friend. She finally found the perfect gift. It's a beatiful Barbi Princess dress. She has painstakingly wrapped it up into a tight ball, covered it in paper and covered it in at least 15 feet of tape. She is now decorating Post It Notes to cover it with. When I said "Devyn, you know this party is for Avrie to go to" she just hugged me and said "I know, that's why I'm finding the perfect present for her to take".

I am so proud of this girl. I am so thrilled at the compassionate and sweet heart that she has. It gives me confidence that between her strong will and kind heart she will make a wonderful impact on this world!

Missionary Work

I just want to share my testimony of missionary work and encourage the few people that read this to join in and receive the blessings available to you.

It's a small thing that Heavenly Father has asked us to do. To simply share the joy, to share the blessings, to share the possibility of an eternal life with family. Why wouldn't we want to!? I know it's scary, I know that we might get rejected, we might feel embarrassed... but do you know what? We might also keep a promise to find a lost soul. We might save a family.

Just pray for the opportunity. I PROMISE you that Heavenly Father will give you one. Look around. There is SOMEONE that you need to find and reach. There is someone that only YOU can reach. Heavenly Father will point you in the direction. And then... it's all just a matter of prayer. Ask Heavenly Father how. He WILL lead you and guide you, every step of the way. It may be by simply befriending them. It may be an invite to church or to FHE. It may be giving them a BOM, or it may be sending the missionaries. But there is a way.

As soon as you make any effort at all, not only will you be lead to someone, but your own life will be blessed. Your own testimony will grow, there will be a beautiful spirit in your home, your personal prayers will begin to be answered even more than before. The blessings are so much more than what has been asked of us.

Please join me in praying for opportunities. I would love to hear your experiences and would even love to publish them here if you would be willing to share. It would inspire me as well as others. Pass the word along... let's help each other do the Lords work!

Lauren & Adam

I just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed the past couple of weeks with you and with little Libby. Thank you so much for allowing me to be in your home and have this time with your wonderful family. I am so proud of the parents that you are. You are patient, loving, kind, attentive, and adoring. I KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that you will raise your sweet daughter to know that her Father in Heaven loves her and that her mommy and daddy love her unconditionally. I know that she will get good care and get all of the attention that a little girl can dream of. I love to watch your interactions with each other and each of you with your daughter individually. Adam is funny, gentle and and right in there willing to help. Lauren has endless patience, is tender and and takes such good care of all of Liberty's needs. I am so excited for the future and to be able to watch your daughter blossom and grow! She has just the right touch of each of your personalities... that's evident already! I love you both so much and I love and adore my little Liberty!

Introducing Liberty Aspen Hart!

True to form, Lauren decided to not let anyone else determine how her life was going to go... deciding to surprise us all by going into labor the day before she was to be induced. I had planned on leaving at about 4:00 to go up so that I could be there in the morning for the induction. With the news that things weren't happening as planned, Matt drove us quickly and safely to Orem in circumstances that were against us the whole way... getting us there just in time for Lauren to start pushing. I know that Heavenly Father had a hand in helping us be there for the big event because all odds were truly stacked against us. We left Toquerville at 4:15 for our 3 1/2 hour trip. We had to stop and get gas, we got pulled over and we STILL got there in 2 hours and 45 minutes... an answer to prayer NO DOUBT! I am grateful to Heavenly Father for understanding the need that Lauren and I had to be able to experience this together, along with Adam (of course), his mom and his sweet aunt that video taped the labor and delivery. It was a very special night and I know that Lauren and Adam will be wonderful parents to their adorable daughter!

Here is the newest beautiful addition to our family!



Look at all of this hair!



First family photo



Liberty was born at 8:01 p.m weighing 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20.5 inches long

Dear Morgan

This is to you. I am so incredibly proud of you for the strength you showed during the labor and delivery of your beautiful daughter. You made it through painful contraction after painful contraction quietly and with courage until you knew that going further would cause exhaustion. You got your epidural and were able to enjoy the rest of your labor with only a small amount of pain (in comparison). I was amazed and in awe at the fact that when it came time to deliver for some reason you passed out each time you bore down... yet the second you were awake again you were back to work. You knew that sweet Cate was in distress and were willing to not think about yourself for a second and work to bring her to the world. You worked for your daughter long before she joined your family here. Good job mom.... that role fits you pefectly by the way. I love you and know that you will be an incredible mother for your daughter, you've already proven that to me through this experience. You've also picked an incredible husband and father. Matt was tender when he needed to be, funny when he needed to be, curious and right there in the middle of all that he could do. It was touching to see the love he has for his little girl. And Cate... I woke up at 4:30 this morning with butterflies in my stomach because I was so excited to see you again today. You have LOTS of people that love you and can't wait to get to know you! Welcome to our world sweet girl!

I love all three of you!

Introducing Cathrynn Collette Winder

Born at 1:41 p.m. after 5 1/2 hours of labor and only 11 minutes of pushing (they had to get her out QUICK). Morgan kept passing outevery time she pushed and wouldn't wake up. The baby was in distress so he cut her from one end to the other and pulled her out ASAP. Her heart rate had been at 80 for a couple minutes and began dropping again. It took a few minutes for her to cry and her Apgars were pretty low for quite a while. They said that she may have to stay a little longer because she's so little and may have breathed some fluid in. They are doing ALL kinds of testing on Morgan just to make sure everything is okay. Soooo, without further ado....

Here she is!





Mommy and her sweetheart



Daddy's girl



Gma and HER girl!



First Family Photo (excuse the bare shoulders)

Babies & Mommies

Both mommies are doing wonderfully. The girls each had a shower in their own area and then they had a joint one here in Toquerville. People were so kind and generous... it helps a LOT when you're having your first baby and broke!

Morgan got a big surprise when she went to her appointment this week. Her body is ready (dilated to over a 3) and she's had high blood pressure so the doctor is going to induce her on June 4th! I can't believe it... I'm going to be a grandma on June 4th! I can't wait to hold sweet little Cate (Catherine) in my arms.... and spoil her of course!

Lauren is still doing well. She is weaning herself off of the nausea meds but has to be careful or she finds herself over the toilet. Up until two days ago she wasn't feeling uncomfortable at all except for the throwing up. She hadn't had a single contraction. On Friday she called me and said "Mom, what is it when you get achy cramps like period cramps, you feel a lot of pressure and your stomach get's hard?" I happily told her "CONTRACTIONS!" She's finally getting those good old braxton hicks practice contractions. Also... the baby has dropped so she's feeling tons of pressure. All good things even though she's not convinced of it right now!

Needless to say... I am so excited for these two precious babies to be here. I know that they are going to be best buddies... and unfortunately for their mommies and daddies... I know that they will both be Grandma's Girls!

Pay it Forward

{The Rules}
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me~something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on their blog, meaning that they will 'Pay It Forward,' creating a handmade gift~anything, for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on their post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts.
♥ ♥ ♥
I thought this was so cool! What a fun idea! Hmmm I wonder what I'll make/give! This will be fun!

Prayer

So, through a series of miracles I'm finally understanding something. But let me explain first... I've had a problem lately thinking "why in the heck do I need to pray for something if Heavenly Father will or won't give it to me anyways." Why ask. He already knows what He's gonna do. But I've discovered something (old news to everyone else I'm sure.) I need to ask Him so that I can have that line of communication with my Father. So that I will learn to know Him as well as He knows me. That way... in life, as He needs to guide me, I'll recognize Him. He knows what I want and need... but more than anything He wants me to be close to Him. I get it! I am grateful!

I have had some very sacred experiences lately due to prayer. I don't really want to get into it right now because it's still all so tender and new. I kind of want to keep it to myself and those invovled so that we can continue to share this and grow together. Suffice it to say though... I am blessed. I have an incredibly loving Father in Heaven that loves me beyond my comprehension. He loves my children, my family and He loves you. I know that now beyond a shadow of a doubt.

PINKITY PINK PINK!

That says it all! Two pinks.. two perfect little grandaughters! Morgan is due June 16th (Avries birthday) and Lauren is due July 1st. As of right now baby Winder will be Cate and baby Hart will be Liberty. But things change... especially with mommies. I'll update you if the girls get new names!

Lauren and Adam

Here's a couple shots of their wedding. It was very beautiful, the spirit was strong and they both looked happy.

Here is a picture of the beautiful cake that Alayna (Matt's mom) made
And of course, I wouldn't feel complete unless I added a few pics of some of my little cuties