"That Our Children May Know" Part 1

This blog is primarily kept to be a journal for our family—a place where we can record our everyday happenings and noteworthy occasions. I think it is important, since being members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a huge part of our lives, that we record for our children and family the reason we belong to that church and our personal, individual beliefs.

I was born to parents who took me to church and taught me the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I quickly gained a desire to give my full heart to living the principles the church teaches. While I have not lived without questions or doubts about God and life after death, I have always found a profound peace within the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Living the principles of the gospel (for example being baptized, attending church meetings, serving in callings, praying, reading the scriptures, focusing on family relationships, and continually seeking to know and understand God’s will for me) has brought personal, enduring happiness.

Before having our first child, Afton, I worried that perhaps I was not ready to bring a child into this world and should not do so until I was certain of the meaning of life and my place in it. However, deciding to have children was an act of faith. I felt it was what my Father in Heaven wanted me to do and so I would. The whole experience of having a healthy, beautiful, perfect baby was one of the greatest testimony-building experiences I have had. To see my body do something truly miraculous as creating and sustaining a human life was amazing; having a child rely on me for life was humbling; and feeling the incredible spirit of this unblemished child provided me with a firm testimony that God is real.

As I have struggled with motherhood, among other experiences throughout my life, I have learned again and again that God is aware of me and my personal needs. While I am still learning, I have come to better understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the miraculous power it has to heal. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ (meaning the plan that Heavenly Father has for each of us to live for a time on this earth and to utilize the atonement to right our wrongs thereby gaining the ability to return to live in His presence) is the way to happiness. I echo the words of the apostles and prophets saying “God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son” (The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles, 2000).

--Annie

Aftonisms: 18 months

Often when I change Afton's diaper or get her dressed I will say "ready, set, go!" or "1, 2, 3" before I put on or take off clothing. Well a few weeks ago Afton picked up on it and started finishing "go!" and "3!". It's pretty fun because sometimes she does it with a lot of enthusiasm.

When Afton hears other children or babies crying she gets a really concerned look on her face and can't move on with whatever she is doing. It's sweet that she worries so much about other kids. Hopefully that will be helpful when we have another!

Afton has picked up on the actions of so many songs we sing (like the Wheels on the Bus, 5 Little Monkeys, etc.) So I try to teach her new ones every so often. Lately she has learned If You're Happy and You Know It. She will clap her hands or shout hooray at the proper times as well as point to her face and smile during the "your face will surely show it" part. Another song she has learned is "I'm So Glad When Daddy Comes Home" which makes Peter's day.

The other night Peter was playing the piano in the front room and Afton loves to go in and dance while he does this. So I went in with her and started doing ballet moves (first, second, fifth-high positions with my arms and arabesques and twirls) she totally copied me! It was a dream come true to show my little girl a dance move and have her do it with me! I was in heaven.

Afton jabbers all day long! She has really taken up talking gibberish and it is fun to hear her little voice talking so animatedly around the house all day.

Does this new little move where (at random places and times throughout the day) will get down on her tummy and kick her legs and move her arms like she is swimming. I think she picked that up from watching Peter and I do some workouts but who knows!

Drinks from the side of her sippy cup so she can look at you while she is drinking.

Pulls a "silly face" she learned from our 4-year-old neighbor in Orem (and possibly her Millar cousins too). It's hilarious but she has pulled it out at the dinner table when we have company over a few times and then it's just slightly embarrassing :).

Being silly

Being sassy. When I asked her to get her shoes she brought me Dad's to put on her feet and then gladly posed for a photo! What a goof.

Afton is getting better at climbing up on things which makes it more fun to go to the playground! Today she ran to the door to see Aunt Jessica and I didn't even know she could run that well! I guess all she needed was a little motivation. Thanks, Aunt Jessica!

She is also super friendly and likes to touch other children just softly. But since most of them look at her weird (since she doesn't know them) I tell her to just say "hi" to which she responds in the highest pitch possible "Hi" all flirty-like.

R.I.P. Preston

Right in between moving, Peter was in a car accident in which he was rear-ended and propelled forward into the Escalade. It wasn't pretty. Thankfully, Peter was only sore from the accident with no permanent damage.

The civic (named Preston), however, did not fare so well. It was a long process and we are still waiting on the insurance to come through, but the father of the boy who ran into Peter has been so gracious and helpful! We feel very blessed that it has worked out like it has.

Peter has been in two accidents in the last two years, both of which totaled the car. But each time it has worked out better than we could have imagined. We are so glad Peter is ok and that Afton was not in the car with him.

We will miss Preston! When we bought this car after the last accident, we thought it would last us through medical school and beyond. So we are sad to have it gone so abruptly. 

We Moved. To Salt Lake.

Well, we made the big move! (That is sarcastic, because we only moved to Salt Lake when we were actually planning on Kentucky at one point!) I started packing about a month in advance since I knew I would be gone the week prior to our move. It actually made it feel easier in the end but it was weird to have our apartment boxed up for so long.

Afton was a trooper. I could kind of sense that things were affecting her for the few days around the moved since she was more whiney and clingy. She had a rough night the actual night of the move but then she acclimated and loves all the space in our new house!

We are living in Peter's grandparents house while they serve a mission in Rome, Italy for 18 months. The house is very nice and huge by our standards :) and we have a backyard! We are getting used to taking care of a house and yard and doing our best to keep things nice. Pete likes to say we are "fake homeowners." Really, it's an ideal situation.

So here are some pictures taken during the move.

It was hard to pack things up with Afton around because she would just take things out of boxes and play for a bit. I had music on one day and she tried on lots of different hats and watched herself on my phone :) This is her funky face.

Finding mom's cowboy hat and wondering why I hadn't got that out sooner? She loved it!

Enjoying her new backyard and the bench that is just her size.

Eating cookies in the backyard.

Our new place is about 15 minutes from the Hogle Zoo. Since Afton is way into animals right now we bought a pass and hope to use it lots!

Afton has gotten serious about helping me water the plants and pick up the apples that fall off the tree. She says "apple! apple!" and picks them up while grunting to carry the bucket as it gets heavier. Such a good helper!

Other July Highlights

The Sundwall Family Concert--a definite highlight! It was a lot of work for the family but they did a wonderful job and put on a rockin' show! I was proud to just be associated in some way :)

We used our gift certificate (from my mom for Peter's graduation) to Ruth's Chris in Park City. It did not disappoint!

The Journey concert!

The music was great, the environment was not so great. But despite our fears, we made it out and home alive! And of course enjoyed ourselves thoroughly with the Sundwall Family.

Peter hiked Lone Peak with some high school friends; a long-time goal for him. Glad we can check that one off!

When Mom is Away the Kids Will Play

I had the opportunity to go to girls camp with my young women this year! We went to Heber Valley for five days and had a grand time. It was the first time I had left Afton for overnight so I worried how I would do (although I didn't worry about her since she was in good hands). But I kept so busy at camp that I didn't have much time to think about her. Good thing too because I teared up when I did!

Afton probably had the best week of her life while I was gone. Dad and extended family spoiled her and made sure she had the time of her life!

Donut run to Maceys before bed

Out on the lake at Tibble Fork

Riding on Grandpa's shoulders

Enjoying a pioneer day concert

Ice cream just for fun

Pioneer Day dress ups!

And a few of me with some of the girls. I am going to miss these young women!!

 Kennedy, Heather, Ruth, Me, Hailey, & Ivannia

The troublemakers: Joey, Ceirra, me, & Bridgette

I even did the zip line, despite my fears. They talked to the girls about pushing yourself during the challenge course and I figured I should do the same :)