Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's!

A few weeks ago, Spencer, Amy, and their kids came over and played with us for a few hours. My mom had already been making homemade donuts, which the kids loved, obviously. We thought they were pretty good too!

Lyla

Max

I told Connor to smile and this is what I got!

Abby

For Father's day, my mom got my dad a slip 'n slide for the grandkids to use and it has been a big hit! I took a ton of pictures as the kids were doing it. Lyla was fearless, as always. And Max would only go backward very, very slowly. Abby warmed up to it. But Connor wouldn't go anywhere near it. 

Spencer finally made Connor go down it, and he was so mad! It was hilarious though!

As we were putting the slip n' side away, my parents pulled out the water guns the kids had been dying to try and everyone got thoroughly wet as we had an enormous water fight. It was everyone against Spencer (and Max, eventually) and the kids loved getting their dad with squirt guns!

It was so fun to spend time with those kiddos and their parents. Family is just the best!

I Love My Family

So I've been dying to write this post. But as it involves events that are not mine to share, I had to wait a while to announce it myself.

Mandi, Amy, and Alicia

A couple of weeks ago we met up for a Girls' Lunch to celebrate our July Birthday Girls: Mandi, Amy, and Alicia. It was so fun to spend some time with some of my favorite people. Near the end we were definitely gettting out of control in our weird mood. I love being the youngest and getting to have so many adult conversations with my family.

If you look closely at the picture below, you'll notice the lunch wasn't entirely just us girls. In fact, there were three little boys there. . .Daxton, Baby Porter, and Baby Jones!

Mandi/Baby Porter, Daxton, Amy, Alicia/Baby Jones, Me, Mom, and Shannon

Yes, that's right! We have two new baby boys coming this year! Mandi is due in October with little Porter (middle name yet to be decided).

Mandi Sue

Alicia is due in December (name yet to be decided). It's a little crazy to think that Alicia is old enough to be a mom, but, at the same time, she's been ready for it for a long time. Peter's family had a reunion this past week where they told them all the baby's gender. I have been dying trying to make sure I don't accidentally let it out somehow that one of his family members would find out (I'm not sure how it would happen, but still.).

Alicia and Peter with the gender reveal cake!

I'm so excited for them and for us girls to be even more outnumbered by boys! Plus, I'm totally going to be Baby Jones' favorite aunt (I'd say the same thing for Baby Porter, but seeing as I am not even close to Daxton's favorite, I think that would be stretching it)! Although I'm going to have more competition than I originally anticipated because. . .

. . .Shannon's staying in Utah! 

The selfish side of all of us is SO HAPPY! (The not so selfish side is too, because she's excited about it.) She got a job in West Valley. I'm so looking forward to having her home. Especially since Derrick will be gone starting the end of August and I have plans to leave Utah soon after I graduate (to where has yet to be determined).

This summer has been one to be remembered as I've spent an extremely large amount of time with my family. But they're the greatest ever, so it's understandable. I can't believe how big and cute my nieces and nephews are. I just have to brag for a bit, because they are adorable.

I can't believe how old and beautiful Abby is in this picture!

Abby is the rockinest 6 year old you'll ever meet. I mean, the girl sang "Soft Kitty" (from The Big Bang Theory) to Derrick as he pretended to be asleep the other day. Seriously, she's awesome. Also, she was so brave when we went tubbing last weekend. She could have stayed out there forever (my arms, on the other hand, were DYING!).

Sassy Lyla

Lyla Bug is just the best. She is sassy and crazy, but also tenderhearted and gives the best dating advice ever. She also is basically a music genius as she knows all the words to every song on the radio. She was so worried about all of us when we were boating. She kept wanting us to get back in the boat because she was scared we were going to be eaten by sharks. She's my sweetheart and always will be.

Daxty

Daxty is the coolest kid ever, as is evident from the picture. He's daring and a total cheeseball! He went on the tube with his dad and was posing for pictures the whole time! He's still obsessed with cars and is getting so much better at sharing them. He's also slowly coming around to the idea of Baby Porter. He's going to be the best big brother cause he loves babies!

Maxy Boy

Max is just handsome. He loves doing anything that involves a ball and basically worships his dad, seeing as he seems to say "My dad said," at the beginning of every sentence. He's the best to watch any sport with, especially soccer because he always thinks his dad is playing, even if his dad is sitting next to him on the couch!

Conman

Connor is just the sweetest kid you'll ever meet. He has gotten so fast at crawling and I can't wait for him to start walking and talking! I can't quite believe he's a year old! Time flies. But I love him at this age, even if he is about to be replaced as the baby (although he'll always be Amy's baby).

Obviously there is some tough competition for the cutest Keddington grandchild. Good luck Mandi and Alicia!

US Men's Soccer

Tuesday night the U.S. Men's Soccer team played against the National Team for Honduras in a World Cup 2014 Qualifying Game.

Because my family is awesomely obsessed with soccer, Derrick got a bunch of tickets right when they went on sale and some of us were able to go to the game. It was amazing!

I've been to a lot of sporting events in my day, but it was so cool to go to a national one like that. Everyone was so full of American Pride. Before the game, they played a clip of some U.S. soccer highlights and I almost cried. The National Anthem was especially cool, too because even though someone was singing it into a microphone, most of the stands were singing too.

We had this cute family of boys sitting behind us and they were SO excited when we handed them American flags and some streamers to throw when we scored. The game was a little sloppy at first but they got in a pretty good rhythm by the end. There were quite a few times we should have scored and didn't, but it made it pretty awesome when we did score. And it was on our side of the field so we got a great view of it!

Picture Derrick took of the game

Nate, Derrick, Shannon, Spencer, Me, and Kyle

(The scarves in the picture are ones they handed out to everyone for free. I guess at each game they hand out a different one with a different phrase from the Star Spangled Banner on it. Ours said "Proof through the night".)

Definitely a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience!

"We Do Not Doubt..."

Today at church many people repeated the scripture in Alma 56:48 that includes the phrase "We do not doubt our mothers knew it." I have always loved the story of the stripling warriors and the homage they pay to their mothers. Like those young men, I have learned much from the mothers in my life.

My Mama!

First and foremost is my own Mom. My mom has taught me so much. Much, much more than I could ever adequately articulate. She has taught me to be independent, to love, to work, but most importantly, to have fun. No matter how busy she gets, she always finds time to spend some time with me and my siblings so we can relax and have a little fun. She showed me that people are more important than anything else and that we always need to be willing to do things for others. I am now and will be forever grateful for her love, advice, and support.

Grandma K. was one of the kindest people in this world. She loved her family more than anything and made sure they knew it. She taught all of us to be compassionate toward everyone, especially to show unconditional love to our family members. She was the best listener. She knew when her advice was needed and when all that was necessary was for her to lend an ear. 

Grandma Wendel was strong. She taught me that I can endure and overcome much simply by continuing to move forward. She had many tough things happen to her in life but she never despaired or gave up. She just kept moving forward and eventually overcame everything. She taught all of her children to work hard, too; skills they have tried their best to pass on.

Aunt Marie has been a mother to us all for as long as any of us can remember. She was always the one willing to tend us, and now she has taken up that role with the next generation. She teaches all children the importance of learning and has inspired so many children in her life, including me and all of my siblings.

Alicia, Mandi, Amy, and Me (just missing Shannon)

Although they are not my blood sisters, Amy and Mandi have been part of our family for so long, that I consider them to be my sisters. All of my sisters have mothered me throughout my life, as well as setting incredible examples of what mothers should be.

Amy understood her role as a mother quickly and has done everything in her power to fulfill it each and everyday. She prizes being a mother to her children with all of her beautiful, tender heart. Because of this she has a gift with children, especially those sweet babies.

Mandi shows incredible patience as a mother. Daxton can be quite the little stinker when he wants to be, but she is so patient with him. She has also showed great faith and courage in her desire to have another child, despite the difficulties she faced her last pregnancy.

Shannon isn't a mother yet, but through her job the past two years, she has been more of a mother to those children than you can imagine. She has come to love the children she teaches so much and has truly come to understand mother like love and affection.

Alicia isn't a mother yet either. But she has set an incredible example to me in her desire for children. She has shown amazing courage and willingness to sacrifice everyday as she expresses her surety of the importance of the divine role of a mother. There is nothing she wants more, and because of that she is going to be an awesome mom.

As much as I love the scripture stated above, today I want to change it a little bit. Instead of "We do not doubt our mothers knew it", I want to focus on what it means if you add a period: "We do not doubt. Our mothers knew it." 

This Mothers' Day, I think the best gift I can give my mother and all of those women (named and unnamed above) who have been mothers to me is to ensure them that 

I Do Not Doubt.

I know that I am a Daughter of God. I know that the Gospel is true and was restored by Joseph Smith. I know the Book of Mormon is the Word of God and that it works with the Bible to teach us the truth. I know the Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet on the earth today. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that he was the only person to live on the earth. I know he lived, suffered, and died so that we can repent and return to live with him and our Father. I know that because of the Atonement Christ can help us through everything and that he will. I know that through temple ordinances we can be sealed with our families forever. 

And I'm so grateful for that so that I can be with my amazing mothers always. 

One of the Lucky Ones

The past couple of weeks I've had the chance to spend a lot of time with my family.  There have been ups and downs, but it all culminated in a beautiful moment during the Sacrament on Sunday after Spencer blessed his new son Connor.  

As I sat there, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of love and appreciation for my family.  I thought of Spencer taking that cute little baby in his arms and how amazing it was that he had the power and the honor to bless that little child.  I looked at Amy as she held her children in her lap and felt everything was coming full circle for them.  I looked at my beautiful nieces and nephews and became so aware of the blessing children are and the meaning they give to life.  Abby is five now and I can't believe how much she's grown.  In that moment, all I wanted to do was pick her up and hold her while I reminded her over and over how much she is loved and that she will always be our family's little princess, just so that she will never forget.  And when Spencer stood up and bore his testimony I couldn't stop myself from crying as I contemplated what a strength he is to everyone and how grateful I am to have him as my biggest brother.

Sunday was also my parent's 31st anniversary.  Alicia and I put together a gift for them Saturday night that required a lot of looking at old pictures, which brought a rush of memories back to us.  Through the course of the night we laughed a lot, but in a serious moment, we talked about how incredible our parents are.  That they are always so willing to sacrifice for us and only want what is best for us.  The trust they show their children as they let them make their own decisions and support us no matter what is unmatched.

L to R: Derrick, Shannon, Dad, Mom, Nate, Daxton, Mandi, Max, Amy Spencer, Abby, Lyla, Alicia, Me, Peter

My family is big, loud, crazy, and just plain weird.  We don't always get along and very often do not agree 100% with the choices the others have made.  And sometimes, we want to smack each other.  Despite this, I think I hit the family jackpot.

The lessons I've learned from my family and the love I've felt are things I would not give up for anything.  They are the rock to stand on when life's waves come crashing down.  They are the strength in my soul when I feel I have none left.  

I truly am one of the Lucky Ones.

Connor Joseph

Saturday, June 30 at 2:10 am Amy and Spencer's fourth child was born:  Connor Joseph, weighing in at 6 lbs. 10 oz. and 20 inches long.

His poor little bruised head! Don't worry, it looks much worse in pictures than real life.

A few hours after he was born, Connor was taken to the NICU because he was having troubles keeping his oxygen and blood sugar levels up.  Luckily he only had to be there for a few days and got the all clear to come home today!

Sunday was Amy's birthday, so I went to Centerville and after dinner, we loaded up the cars with family, cake, and presents and went to celebrate with her in her room at the hospital.  It was more than slightly insane to have so many people and little kids in the room, but it was fun.

Amy's traditional birthday cake

This time it was double decker with strawberries in the middle

My attempt at getting Daxton to hold still...it didn't work

The cute birthday girl!

Amy looked so good and happy, especially after just having given birth a little over 24 hours beforehand.  Seriously, she is a rock star.  And one heck of a mother.  Blows me away all the time.

After the party, we got to go, in small groups, down to the NICU to see and hold baby Connor.  

Amy and Connor

Me holding Connor!

Man, I love babies!  He's so tiny (even if he was almost a whole pound bigger than the rest of Amy's babies) and sweet, with the cutest little blonde hair.  I loved getting to hold him.  As not fun as having a baby in the NICU is, it is something really special to be down there.  There is just such an amazing peace, stillness, and love there.  (I really do think you should be a neonatal nurse, Leesh.  It'd be such an amazing place to work).  I've heard that angels walk the halls at Primary Children's Hospital, but I think they walk the halls of every NICU, too.  

Congratulations Spencer, Amy, Abby, Lyla, and Max on your newest addition!  I love you all!

(P.S. I have a picture of Shannon with Connor too, but couldn't get it to rotate. So sorry, Shan!)