A Visit From GiGi

Since I am so horrendously behind on my blog, please forgive this short post. I'm hoping to get updated before our upcoming trip to TEXAS!!! That's right ladies and gentlemen... the Hunters are bound for the Lone Star State and are we ever excited!

Anyhoo... way back in March... yes, I said March,

we had a fantastic visite from our beloved GiGi. Here she is with two of her biggest fans: The week she visited was my Spring Break from school, but the kids still had school every day. It ended up being a nice transition from the constant fighting and vying for GiGi's attention. Victoria got her time during Kindergarten and then Daphne got her time after half- day kindergarten and then Isaac got her time after school.

We actually had nicer weather that week than we have had for much of the Spring since then. I unwittingly traded in a beautiful Spring for a snowless February. I'd like to re-negotiate.

One of our family "things" is that each of the older children has a picture of them and me next to their beds. I started it with Isaac as a little extra night-time comfort when he is feeling a little lonely or scared. It worked so well that we did one with Daphne, also. I have been trying (unsuccessfully) to get a cute picture of Tori and me to continue the tradition. So, GiGi to the rescue once again... she got this cute shot of us on her last day here!

It had been a while since Mom had seen victoria, and she's pretty slow to warm up, so I was curious to see how she would deal with her. Mom, always a child's best friend, brought two adorable little dress-up hats and made instant chemistry with Tori. She still held back some- but these definitely broke the ice.

Surprise! It's Tori!

Always singing, here's my Daffodil with her microphone:

My silly boys:

Victoria chatting on the phone- ( This was St. Patrick's Day, hence the green)

Hangin' at the park...

GiGi was pretty impressed with the view to the East of our home- I suppose we sometimes take it for granted, although I feel like I am constantly reminding the kids about how blessed we are to live by such gorgeaous mountains. Anyway, I thought I'd share so you can all see.

If I took a picture now, it would be even more breath-taking. Lots more green and a little less snow on top!

"You fill up my senses, like a mountain in Springtime..." Name that tune!

Girl Time

Our past few posts have been a lot about Isaac, so I thought I'd tell you what we girls have been up to lately...


We've been doing really important things.


....Like putting on lip gloss and smiling at ourselves in the mirror.



...Like taking two or three bubble baths a day...

And of course, we've been playing dress up. Lots and Lots of dress up!

But most importantly, every day we have to help Daddy get dressed! (Remember if you receive this in an email you will need to go to the actual blog site in order to view the video!)

Things I Love About this Video:

1. The sheer volume of cuteness

2. Tori's "Ummmm..." at the beginning.

3. Her little proud dance

4. The way she names all her family members at the end, including my Mom, GiGi, who was staying with us at the time.

5. Daphne's artwork all over the walls

6. Tori's awesome morning hair!

7. The fact that there is no diaper under those pj's cause she's exclusively a potty girl now!

Things that bother me about this video:

1. The fact that you can see the inside of our too cramped, too filled closet

2. The brass

3. My messy house in the background

A Play, A Birthday and A Baptism...

The first week of March was a little crazy for us. Firstly, I was involved in a musical production at our Church called Women At the Well...
Women at the Well is a production that tells the stories of the women who knew Christ through scripture, narration and song. You can find the cd here.

This was such a wonderful experience for me and I loved being able to worship Christ through song with so many other amazing women from my ward. We all learned and grew spiritually and from what I hear, it was equally uplifting to those who watched. It did not occur to me to take any pictures of this event, but it was so memorable and edifying! If you missed it, I *think* we will be performing it again for the stake sometime this year. At least we were asked to do so...

Then, a few days later:

I turned 30. Really. I'm not quite certain how this is possible, but that week was a pretty big week for us! We don't really go all out for our birthdays much- it just seems unimportant since we became parents. We do try to spend extra time together and do something. Of course in our very lean, newly married years, that something was smaller. But it always seems to be the time spent together that counts. So, thanks to Matt's brother Jude and his wife Natalie, we were able to have a nice long date. The next morning, my sweet husband and kids brought me a delicious breakfast in bed. Yum! Thanks, my sweet ones! My husband even cleaned the house and got me lunch at Cafe Rio before we got on with the real event of the day:

Believe it or not, our sweet, darling Isaac chose to be baptized this day! Happy Birthday to me! Just before we left, (Isaac was outside playing basket ball with our neighbor), and I said," Isaac, why don't you invite him?" Well, he didn't have any clothes to wear, so we offered him some of Isaac's. And he said YES!

I was quite astonished, and Isaac was really happy. He and the neighbor are still good friends after all the water under (and over) the bridge. So, we were very happy to have him with us.

Although we got off to a rocky start (going to the wrong Church building and all... only in Utah!), we started our little Baptismal Service. Matt's sister, Paige, led the music for us and his cousins, Austin and Lexy offered the prayers. Nanny shared her thoughts on Baptism and Jesus Christ and the Plan of Salvation, with lots of involvement from a teary-eyed and spiritually moved Isaac. Melt my heart. What joy to watch your child embrace his Savior. After that, Isaac was baptized by his father! And following the baptism, I was able to share a song, I Know that My Savior Loves Me. This was such a sweet moment for me; Isaac was mouthing the words as I sang. Isaac's other cousin, Sydney, spoke about the Holy Ghost- it was just perfect and right on his level. Thanks, Syd! And then we had the confirmation. And all of the sudden, there he was: All bright and shiny and clean and accountable! Sniff, Sniff. I can't believe his life is going so quickly- it was really just a minute ago that he looked like this:

and just one minute later that he looked like this:

or that our family picture looked like this:
... and now looks like this:

It is completely amazing to me how time flies when you are having fun! The past eight years of being a parent have been the most educational, draining, awe-inspiring, humbling, rewarding and absolutely loving years of my life. My heart bursts to think of all that God has given me by letting me parent these three, precious children. I pray that His strength will make my offering enough. Enough that they will know how deeply they are loved; by me, as their mother, but more importantly, by Our Father in Heaven.

We even tried to get a "big family"shot, but they all turned out blurry :(.

Then we went back to Nanny and Papa's for some of Paiges amazing Basil Pesto Pasta and Macaroni and Cheese. Yum!

Isaac received many lovely gifts in honor of his baptism. New Scriptures from Nanny and Papa:

A new tie:

His very own picture of the Savior:

and lots more...

Tori had her first encounter with our brand new niece, Penelope. Victoria was overwhelmed with joy! She kept ooing and sighing and trying to lay on her. It was too, too sweet.

And finally, after a long day, we headed home. Just as we were about to get out of the car, I was thinking that I should ask our neighbor is he would like to come to church with us the next day. But before I even had a chance to say something, he said, "Is it okay if I go to church with you guys tomorrow?"

And we all said, "Yes!"

Absolutely. And he did.

We have a scout!

That's right, Ladies and Gentlemen. I have a child who is old enough to be a Boy Scout. I am a little overwhelmed by this prospect. In addition, I am, well...apprehensive.
Don't get me wrong: We love the Boy Scouts of America. We support them financially every year and think that they have great programs to assist parents in molding their boys into contributing members of society.
I just have absolutely no clue about anything scout related whatsoever. I don't even like thinking about scout related activities because it automatically makes me think of camping. And I think we all know how I feel about that.
So. Isaac is a Wolf. He has a wolf book and has to learn about something called a bobcat and do all sorts of "fun" stuff. We went to his very first activity, which happened to be the Blue and Gold Banquet, celebrating 100 years of scouting.
We had to make a cake to decorate and oh yeah, get his scouting attire. (That was purchased exactly one half hour before the banquet.) I'm such a good mom. Ha! (Matt got it for him right after work!)
Here we have Brother Page, who informed Isaac that as the newest member, he would have to be branded. He told him that the had a poker that they would dip in hot ashes and then brand on to him. Isaac looks a little nervous.
Of course, the metal was cold and the "hot ashes" were flour, but it was all in good fun. Isaac just made a funny face and was such a good sport once he realized that he wasn't going to be burned.

Here he is with his branding... he had just gotten over strep throat and looks a little drained still. Poor little guy.

Then we got to commence the cake decorating with the provided materials. Isaac came up with this idea on his own!

I thought it turned out pretty cute.

I guess we'll see how scouting goes- I'm excited for him to get to learn new things and feel involved---- even if I have to do "scouting" stuff, too!

Abe Lincoln says.....

"Be honest: Do you like my beard?" Daphne has been learning about Presidents at school. Well, she was learning about them in February. So, when Matt gave hear a beard in the bath, she automatically said, "I'm Abe Lincoln!"

An Abiding Mom

I needed this today.

I'm sharing this with you because I thought maybe there is someone else out there who needs it, too.

I'm pretty hard on myself. I think one of the most notable characteristics in my personality may very well be my tenacity. Some may call it pig-headedness. Whatever. Either way, it's one of those characteristics that can be used for good or bad depending on the situation and the health of my soul at the time.

As a mom, some days I (ridiculously) think, "Hey! I'm doing great! I'm such a good mom!." and other days, I worry, "Gosh- I shouldn't even be allowed to have kids I am such a bad mom today!." And, likewise, either statement is detrimental to my walk with Christ and to my life as a mother as well. Both statements are focused on me.- on my performance or lack thereof...

There are so many functions in the life of a mom: meal preparation, keeping everyone healthy, timing medicine for one child's allergies and one child' illnesses and preparing special foods for another child's digestive system, cleaning, taxi driving, meal prep., soccer practice, scouts, dance, school, homework, meal prep., cleaning, making sure everyone's bodily functions are working properly, grocery shopping, clothes shopping, meal prep again and oh yeah, "simultaneously teaching virtually everything" all at the same time. It occurred to me last week that just being a mom reminds me of the idea of keeping all the commandments all the time"... I am ever behind and never quite on top. Sigh.

Daphne's 3rd Birthday

So, what?

Should I just give up? I mean, Christ did say, "Be Ye therefore Perfect?"

I can't.

But what if he had said, "Be ye therefore mediocre?" (I got that from Sheri Dew!)
What if everyone just quit trying?

And as I was feeling particularly bombarded by life last week, I read this:

I know it's fuzzy- You can read the bigger version here.

Isaac and me 2 weeks before Daphne was born



My college graduation and the day I found out we were having Daphne!




This was one of my favorite sections: She abides in Christ and therefore bears much fruit.

"I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me, ye can do nothing." John 15:5

Daphne and me - she's 7 months, I think...

I think that one of satan's most successful tricks (for me) is to use my tenacity and determination against myself. Perhaps you could call that Pride. I find great joy in the peace and happiness that Christ offers me as a mom and I am thankful. At first. Then, after a few days, I am distracted and I think that I should be able to just grit my teeth and be a patient mom all day.

And I'm Not.

When am I going to permanently GET the fact that ALL of my good fruit comes from Him?

Daphne and me in my classroom at school

And that doesn't mean that trying is a bad thing, it just means that I realize that although I can't be perfect on this earth, I still try. That's the beauty of GRACE! His power empowering me to do things immeasurably beyond my own strength. (things like motherhood!) I may not be able to be perfect today. But I can be a little better tomorrow than I was today. I can acknowledge my Savior in all things- relying "wholly upon the merits of Him who is mighty to save." (II Nephi 31:19)

Isaac and me in Vienna

And that brings me to my new mantra:

I am in perpetual and passionate pursuit of my Savior.

The big kids and me in Rothenburg Ob der Tauber

And even though it won't be in this life that His work is completed in me, I won't quit running and I won't quit trying. I'll give all that I can and allow Him to take of pittance and make it enough.

Rue Cler in Paris
"My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

II Corinthians 12:9

Ice Caves in Austria
So, even though my offering as a mother may be as measly as five loaves of bread and two fish appeared to that crowd of 5, 000, He will bless it and make it enough- more than enough!

Ice Cream in downtown Stuttgart!

Please forgive me for sharing some pictures of me with my kiddos. I needed to remember some images of us together that didn't involve chaos!

Victoria and me at The Pumpkin Patch

Happy Heart Day, Y'all!

I have been trying to make Valentine's Day a little more festive at our house over the past few years... I know that it is mostly propelled by capitalistic ventures and relentless guilt-induced advertising. I get that. And Valentine's Day isn't really a big spending holiday for Matt and I. But, I do like the idea of having a special day dedicated to showing our love for others, whether that love be romantic, familial, parental, platonic or whatever. And, yes of course I think that we should show our love all year round and yada, yada, yada. I agree with that idea as well. But sitting at home wrapped in my "holiday principles" on Valentine's Day isn't helping anyone. Instead, we have chosen to take this holiday and use it as an opportunity to share the love that Christ has instilled in us with those around us:
with one another in our marriage, with our children, with our neighbors and teachers and friends. And although it is easy to become cynical about the cheap and false portrayals of love that are all around us this time of year, we are choosing to take this day and make it special for our family!

Here are the girls and I in our Heart shirts...

We have had so much fun dressing up in these this year. Whenever one of us has worn one, we have all put ours on. So Tori walks around pointing at each of our shirts and matching the hearts, and then she'll walk over to Matt and Isaac and point to their shirts, saying, "Nononono." (Because they don't have heart shirts!)

I think Victoria's is the cutest--- you can't see it but it says,

"My heart belongs to Daddy."

I love it! And you may be wondering... I thought you said this wasn't a big spending holiday for you?

But, in preparation for Valentine's this year, I went to Target and Gymboree and bought our shirts the Monday after Valentine's Day for at least 50% off. So I think I got all three shirts for a total or $8! Not too shabby!

We did lots of other things throughout the week... neighbor gifts, valentines for friends, decorating, etc...

On Sunday morning, we made our traditional Whole Wheat Pancakes and had to shape them in hearts:


And that evening, we made valentine sugar cookies! This is always a fun, colorful and exhausting experience. Isaac wasn't feeling well, so Daphne was my chief cook's assistant, and she refused to get dressed so that she was decent for pictures! While I was baking, Victoria snuck in and got a cookie off the cooling rack and started munching it down. Here she is, so proud of her stolen goods!

(Her face is stained from her spaghetti and meatballs!)

And after I got her all cleaned up from that mess, she snuck back in and got a frosted cookie!
Once again, you can see she's very ashamed of herself!

I was able to teach a lesson on Jesus Christ at church that morning. In my pursuit to find a fun little handout and sort of bring the lesson together, I found this:



I loved it right away. I used it as a bookmark and attached Dove Promises to give to the ladies in my class.
We thought it was appropriate on this day of love, that we celebrate the source and origin of all love. All the love that I feel and am blessed enough to receive originally emanates from our Father in Heaven. It is He who has given us both the ability to love and a reason to love. So, my message at the end of that lesson was this: I pray that this little bookmark might help you to remember real, true and genuine love on this day rather than the commercial and imitation love offered from the world. After All:

"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him...We love Him, because He first loved us."

I John 4:16 & 19