Josie's Blessing

Just wanted to post a few pics for those of you who couldn't be at Josie's Blessing. Josie wasn't very cooperative for pictures- but I did get a few decent ones.

I'm not sure who my photographer was that cut off Stephen's head...(Tammy... cough cough). No but seriously, Tammy was such a good sport taking a bunch of pictures for us. It's not her fault her subjects just aren't photogenic!

How cute is this picture of Nana and Papa??

Auntie Michelle giving Josie some love like only an auntie can.

Check out Natalie and Uncle Brett. This is such an awesome picture. I'm so glad Brett was able to come- and get acquainted with Natalie and with the Bark Scorpion : (

Look at these foxy ladies! I am so lucky to have been able to see Grandma Opal a few times in the last few years. Charlie and Josie don't know how lucky they are to have been held in her loving arms. She is still the spunky grandma you always knew. I hope I look that good at 90! Go Grandma! And let's not forget Natalie- the cutest, sweetest, best natured, smiliest baby ever!

Thanks to all of you who were able to make it out here to the hot hot desert for Josie's blessing. We love having family and were so grateful to be able to share this day with you. And for all those who couldn't be here, you were missed and we hope to see you soon. Mackenzie, Josie and I will be making a trip to Cali the last weekend in May so mark your calendars!!!

This is why I wanted daughters...so I could have beautiful pictures like this. Thanks Judy!

SISTERS

So I just realized that Josie is almost a month old and I haven't taken any pictures since I brought her home. Probably because I'm just in survival mode at this point, so I decided I better take at least a few while she's still a baby because before I know it, she'll be a "big girl" like Charlie.

Charlie likes to give Josie her "paci"... well she likes to pull it out of Josie's mouth, then try to give it back to her... backwards...

Charlie loves her blankie and minky SO MUCH that she has earned the nickname Linus. She loves to share her minky with Josie- usually while Josie is in the swing and Charlie basically smothers her with it.
Charlie does not like when Josie cries/screams and sometimes she'll cry right along with her. All in all, she is quite fascinated with her baby sister. She likes to give her kisses which is so cute to see.

New Blog

Hey Family,

So a long time ago I promised to stop posting novels on this blog bumping off everyone else's posts and to start a blog for my family. Well I was in the process of writing a novel post on to this when I remembered about that promise. So...I started a blog for my family. It is obviously nothing fancy at this point. I just threw a couple of things together to make it work. I would like it to be mostly private so send me your email addresses so I can put you in as authorized users. For now, it is open to everyone, but I will be changing that soon. Here is the new address.

http://lisonbeelifelessons.blogspot.com/

-Matty

Missionary Skills...

Had a great week working in the hospital. I had 2 spanish speaking patients that challenged my rusty spanish skills. The patients absolutely love students because we'll pretty much do anything for them because we have time. I got to sit in a patient's room and chat with her for quite awhile yesterday...she hadn't had any visitors and she was the nicest lady. We have the patient for two days in a row so by the second morning they are so happy to see us. It is a great ego boost for me because I really know little to nothing about being a nurse. But, I can sure shoot the breeze. It has been so amazing for me to realize that many of the skills that are so useful for nursing I learned while serving as a missionary. The Spanish is very helpful. IT's rusty, but it's getting better quickly and the patients are really appreciative that someone speaks their language and after establishing some sort of a repore with them, I can get them to teach me how to say things that I need to know. Perhaps the best skill that I learned though is just how to talk to people. I can take anybody, pretty much, and find something to talk to them about by watching their body language, observing what's important to them, and checking out their surroundings. And...inevitably, the spanish speakers ask where I learned to speak spanish which opens up doors to talk about all kinds of things. Loving it. Missions are fantastic for so many reasons...

BabyX and Kristin...

So since not all of you (ahemm...Tammy) have access to Kristin's Facebook Page, she asked me to post the pics here.
Enjoy,
Stephen

Gotta love kids...at least they're honest

Scenario: 7 AM. I have just returned from my morning workout. I am upstairs waking up the girls in their room.

Malia (very groggy) says, "Mom, can you carry me downstairs?"

Bella "Malia, she stinks."

Me, "What?"

Bella, "You stink. You smell like sweat."

Me, (to Malia) "She's right."

Bella (to me) "Finally you agree with me."

Malia "I don't care. Will you carry me?"

I don't know why this stuck with me. I thought it was funny that Bella would point out to me that I smelled. She thought it was crazy that I would agree with her. And Malia, oblivious and sleepy didn't care. That about sums up our mornings. I smell. Bella is quick to point out the obvious. And Malia, she just wants to go back to sleep.