Happy 4th of July Weekend!

So, I have a house...so now it means I have an extra table to decorate with holiday decorations. I told several people that I always wanted a "changing" seasonal table in our home. So I have found it's location.

I went to Roberts and picked up a few holiday goodies and came back to decorate it. I found Alayna sitting at the counter looking at the table. I said, "Alayna, what are you looking at?" she said, "My favorite new table...I like the little stars, mom!" So with that one comment I knew I had found the right things, I've always heard that kids love decorations for holidays. I think it makes it more "home-ee", if that's a word? Either way enjoy the busy weekend filled with bbq's and fireworks...oh and I can't forget my favorite...Salt Water Taffy! YUM

Always fun...

It's always fun as a new mom to go and share your little bundles of joy with great-grandparents. There is something special about that union, I think it's because great-grandparents are filled with wise wisdom and experience. They know to just cherish and adore these little babies.

I must admit that our little babies have been spoiled with such a loving family. We always make sure to bring our new babies over to visit Grandma Denny and Grandpa. These are Jared's mothers parents. I must admit that a part of me LOVES to share these little ones with Denice because she is the closet relative to Jacqui, Jared's mother. We often speak of how Jacqui is the last one to hold and hug our precious little babies up in heaven before they are sent down to us. Jared and I often wonder what his mother would have been like as a grandmother? Our first response that we come up with is she would have been the grandma that had the bumper sticker that says, "My grandkids are cuter than yours!" Jacqui LOVED her kids more than anything. So we know that she would have LOVED her grandkids even more!!

I am so thankful for Denice because she gives sound good advice, I appreciate it so much because I know it is the closest thing to what Jacqui would tell me. As a young mother I LOVE to hear how I need to not worry about dishes, clean houses, and simply sit back and snuggle and love my kids. One favorite thing she says each time she meets our new little babies is, "Oh, you are so loved...you have been born into a family who loves you so much!" I don't realize until that moment how true that is. These sweet little babies have been so blessed to be born into our family who on all sides love and are excited for them to be born. For that today I am thankful.

Here is Alayna loving the special toys Grandma Denny has for her to play with. One time Alayna said, "Why doesn't Grandma Denny have any toys at her house for me?" After Grandma Denny heard Alayna say that she keeps a special bag near by for her to do puzzles, markers, paper, paper dolls, etc. I must admit it makes for our visits so much more enjoyable.

Then there is Jake. He is too concerned what the kitty cat is doing to engage in really any activity.

Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House

Yesterday events...I thought it would be a fun family outing to attend the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House together. I was so happy to have Randy & Danette attend and Grandma & Grandpa Suker come with us. It was a special experience to be in the temple as an extended family.

The weather was SUPER HOT and so it made picture taking moments very quick.

This was Alayna's 3rd time going to the open house and so knowing her personality I needed to give her something to pay extra attention too. Since we are hanging up pictures VERY slowly in our new house we have yet to pick picture for her room. I told her to recognize all the pictures in the temple, and she could pick anyone she wanted and we'd go get it to hang up in her room. I thought two things, one this was a great memory for her of attending the temple and second it would give me another excuse to hang up some pictures.

As we walked around I kept reminding her and she'd say, "I know mom...I am looking!" in her very I'm doing my own thing way. As the tour was ending we were walking down the very long stairway and she stopped dead in her tracks..."Mom, that is the one I want!" I looked up and here was a HUGE picture of the Savior. Later on I asked her why she picked this picture and she said, "It makes me feel happy...because it's of heaven. When I see it...it will help me remember we can see each other again when we are gone...and I won't miss you anymore...I love the angels...and being with Jesus again!" She has been blessed with a keen ability in recognizing sacred things. I am grateful for her sweet spirit and wanting to live with our Heavenly Father again.

As I walked around the temple holding my sweet little boy Caleb and following behind my little Jacob I couldn't be more thankful for them. Jacob from the very beginning of his life has been very keenly aware of the Savior, our Prophet and the Temples. Though he's still learning reverence during sacrament meeting he over all has a special reverence for sacred things.

Several weeks ago he was in the back seat of the car driving with me on bangerter highway as we passed by the Oquirrh Mountain temple. He had been to the open house a few days before and said, "Mom..Jakey see it...Temple...Special...so special!" It brought instant tears of gratitude to my eyes thinking of how the temple has already touched the heart of my little boy. So as I walked around watching him fold his arms on his own walking around the temple halls, even while we walked up the stairs, I couldn't help but notice this picture several times. My thoughts were of the Savior as a young child, being found in the temple teaching others. I love the youth of my children and how much they teach me of spiritual things. This very same morning Jake sat on the couch next to me as I was feeding Caleb, "Mom, read me Book Normon to me..." I am thankful to have helped remind these special children of the things they once new in heaven. So this picture we have picked for Jacob's room.

I must admit it was a wonderful experience, once again to have attended the open house. We followed the great afternoon by YUMMY food at the Texas Roadhouse...if anyone wants to go, just give me a call...ANYTIME!

Yum, Wow, First, and Cute.

Here is a shout out to Ashley in NY. Since you were not going to attend this family dinner...I was finally given the assignment for dessert. So guess where I turned to...you guessed it..."America's Test Kitchen Recipe Book" I picked Lemon Bars. Let's just say they were WONDERFUL!!! Since it was Father's Day...Jared and Randy's two favorites are lemon or spice cake, I had to go with something lemon. I recommend this recipe to everyone. When I have a second I will post it for you! (It does have a few tedious steps, but it was worth the hassle!) We missed you guys, the regular dinners won't be the same with out you! Lisa & Matt you are always missed!!

Here is to carrying on the family name. Jacob was the first boy in the family to carry on the "Suker" name. This made Grandpa Suker very proud. But now that he has two boys carrying the name he is SUPER excited. Here is to a four generation picture!
(Jared, Caleb - 4 weeks old, Jacob - 2 years, Randy, Harry)

It might have taken a month but we finally got our first family picture. Don't you love how well we coordinate! Missy, these family pictures have nothing on yours! ha ha ha At least we have one picture for posterity, right? It will have to do until we get the real deal. Any suggestions for photographers? THANKS.

I seem to always have to end with a cute new picture of my favorite little guy! How sweet is he?

For the love of KETCHUP!

Thanks to Grandpa Randy (Jared's Dad) he has passed on the LOVE for ketcup! Jacob can't seem to get enough of it...Oh, well I don't care for it so use it up and I won't have to smell it on his sticky little fingers ANYMORE!!!

"My Apple Shurit" says Jakey!

Thank you Uncle Brian and Aunt Ashley! We love our shirts. In fact, they both insisted on sleeping in them and then wearing them today. Jake some how thinks the "heart" is an apple? But hey, little does he know that NYC is the Big Apple! I did take some video of them opening the package, so I'll get around to uploading it. It was pretty funny because Alayna initially wanted the green shirt, just like you wanted to specify! Anyways, THANKS!

Screaming baby Caleb!

Happy baby Caleb! See it's not any too big! You would be surprised how an 8 lb baby can fit in pretty much anything!

The cutest little face of baby Caleb sleeping with Jared! What a cute squishy little face!!!!

Have you ever seen this before?

Here is an EARLY shout out to the worlds largest couch! Seriously, my bro-in-law Todd wins the award for the largest couch. It has 17 seat cushions and 21 back cushions. This truly can fit ALL of our family including the kids...not even squished! I can now see why he was excited to have us move out of his basement!!! He's been dreaming of this "theater" room for FOUR years and FINALLY he gets to enjoy his dream. I'm sure he misses us, but honestly to have a seat to watch a movie at his house will be great. I just had to post this because it's been such a fun thing to experience. When the new paint is up, movie pictures on the wall, popcorn popper up and ready and all the other great ideas he has for this room is finished I will take better pictures but until then, props to Todd for this great room! (or should I say Shandra for letting him fulfill his life long dream?) Either way, it will be LOVED by all of us!!! :)

My sweet baby...

I must admit some of my favorite days in life have been the Sundays I get to stay home with my newborn babies. I love to hold them for the three hours in peace and quiet. I also love the time I'm able to spend, thinking, pondering and writing in my journal on these days. It's amazing how time just passes so quickly in life. I just melt as I hold my little ones and think of the instant love I have for them. It's amazing how humbling it is to hold these sweet little angels.

He has been eating every three hours during the day. At night he does a 4-5 hour stretch then it's on the dot back to three hours. Several people have asked me how three kids are...well, I've lucked out having several people help me. This week will be the adventure, so I will report next week. I haven't had to cook yet...I took a week off from all jobs, activities, etc. Jared's back to work - normal schedule. So bring on bed time and all three kids, cooking, cleaning and all those other things mommies do every day! Wish me luck.

Caleb is a precious little guy. He's content, happy, eats well and I feel sleeps very well for a newborn. He does not enjoy bath time or diaper changes. He's very sensitive to changing his clothing, cold wipes, and baths.

He is very content and alert. He has dark eyes (They remind me of Alayna's eyes) and when he is awake he looks all around. I will keep all my extra mushy thoughts and feelings to my personal journal entries, but let's just say he has a special, extra special place in my heart.

Duck Tape...

My dad thought my kids were being a little too much like kids (NOISY!!!)...so here is another use for duck tape! This is only the beginning of noisy children! I wish you the best of luck!!!

Alayna thought it was funny.

Jake didn't understand it. He kept trying to put the duck tape back on, but the sticky side was stuck on his fingers.

"Come what may and love it!"

Where to begin? That is a great question…because our little family’s life has changed 180 degrees within one week.

Here is the short timeline…(included for those that already know everything and don’t choose to read the long narrative…which I include for my own personal journaling reasons.)

Thursday night – a possibility of an offer being accepted on a home that was turned in like 3 months ago...we had really crossed it off our list!

Friday- confirmed our offer was accepted…but not official yet.

Sunday – Jared just called and sustained as Ward Clerk in our current ward.

Wednesday – the house closed…we get it!

Thursday – cleaning new house

Friday – moving day

Saturday – carpets cleaned, moving, etc.

Sunday – I get a new calling in current ward! (You think I’m joking!! I'm not...Yes, they do know we are moving!)

Monday – Memorial Day…moving day…we finally sleep our first night in our new home.

Tuesday – I wake up, shower, get ready and attended my prego doctor’s appointment where he tells me… “Go straight to the Hospital...you are having this baby today!” So there you have it…in one week we moved and brought home a new baby. It honestly couldn't have been better timing. Why not experience everything changing all at once.

I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes from Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin… “Come what may and love it!” This is truly how I feel lately. I have loved each new adventure. Yes, I have shed many tears for various reasons (I’d like to label them as pregnancy hormones!) but overall I am pleased with how everything has turned out…pleased beyond description. My heart is full of thanks for all my dear sweet family and friends who have come to our rescue on so many different levels. You all made this happen. Much thanks to my hubby. WOW is all I can say. He has been able to accomplish so much while he’s been home to make sure that his wife and kids are taken care of and comfortable with all these changes. Thanks to all.

But mostly thanks to our dear Heavenly Father who has guided and directed our family down an unfamiliar path. One I’m sure that is filled with more joy, adventures, love, experiences and opportunities to simply become more like Him. For that I am forever thankful for this new phase of our life. I will post several pictures and then explain them one by one! Enjoy…

Part One: Moving

Home Sweet Home... So here is the new place we are calling home. It's been a wild adventure to make this all happen, but needless to say one week later it's home. The first night we slept here was Memorial Day night. The funny story of our first morning was that Jacob and Alayna jumped up in bed with us and Jake exclaimed..."Dad...Sunny!!" Jared and I started laughing. We ALL realized how SUNNY the world is in the morning time. We have been basement dwellers for four years now and Jake has never met the sun in the morning. So with all these windows we are very aware of what sunshine is...oh, and what it brings...EARLY mornings...our kids normally would sleep in until 8:30am or even 9am (Yes, they do go to bed around 7pm...we were wild sleepers!) But now I have seen the 5AM hour...Who knew the sun came out that early? Either way, we do love the sun!

This is one of my favorite areas of the house. Three HUGE windows that are amazing for the view and sunlight. It also shows you my super cute table I got on ksl. I have been storing this table for over a year now! It's about time I wipe off the dust and decorate with something cute...(the flowers are from RPT for the baby)

I found these SUPER BRIGHT and adorable cushions at Kohl's weeks ago before I had a "house" and last night I had to venture out and get them. My kitchen was SCREAMING for color and these are exactly what this "earth toned" house needed...COLOR and lots of it!

Jake doing what he does best...escaping from the house. He has learned how to open our deep freezer and take otter pops. (The backyard)

The kitchen and bar. Yup, thanks to a Memorial Day sale I got the bar stools for a steal of a deal! Oh, love the kitchen...no above cabinet decorations! Yeah, for one area of the house to not stress me out about having to be creative. Funny feature about the kitchen sink and tall bar. Jacob wins the award for finding every possible disaster. Do you see the lovely sink faucet, well it just so happens to swing all the way around. So Jake desperately needed a drink, so what did he do? He twisted the faucet all the way around to the bar, got his drink and didn't turn off the water. I was in my bedroom and heard "water" I came running in and found him on the ground with Alayna saying..."Waterfall!" Yes, it was pouring water over the bar onto the floor. For once I'm thankful I have tile instead of hardwood flooring.

Painting...two rooms had an UGLY green color, no windows and poor lighting. So we picked a light yellow for the bathroom...I'm still deciding if I like the yellow. The ceiling is just so HIGH that the lights are bright enough for me. So who knows what we will do?

Jared helping out Shandra and Angela painting the laundry room. It's a light blue! I LOVE this room.

View from the deck.
Shandra and my Mom being busy bee's trying to get us moved in before the baby is born!
One of my FAVORITE features of the home...a deck off the kitchen! The kids LOVE it and I LOVE it even more. We had to lock out all 9 grand kids so we could actually accomplish...painting, moving in, etc.

Part Two: Let's have a Baby!

I had Jared take a picture before I lost this pregnant belly! I had a doctors appointment Tuesday morning where my doctor said, "You are a 6...then he said you are going to have this baby today!" I then said, "Why did you accidentally break my water?" He said, "No, you are bleeding again." So to make sure we could watch the baby and not have to do an emergency C-Section we were instructed to go off to the hospital.

Because my doctor wanted to make sure the baby was doing well Jared and I got to hang out doing NOTHING for about 5 hours. I wasn't even hooked up to anything, other than wearing the lovely hospital gown and visiting with Jared and monitoring the baby we just enjoyed our nurse and hospital.

Around 6:30pm my doctor arrived broke my water and hooked me up to pitocin. The baby had been doing well under the stress of bleeding and now that the doctor was right there we were ready to deliver! My family arrived around 7:30pm- sisters, parents, in-laws stopped into say hello. I was encouraging them to go eat dinner, because it was going to take awhile to deliver this baby. My pitocin level was only at 8.0 - which on my other labors I had it pumped up 20.0 for about 10 hours! So I figured this might take all night long. Well as we visited I began to get more and more uncomfortable. Then the regular feelings of labor we were starting...but the funny thing was that my "contraction" line on the monitor NEVER showed a contraction. Come to find out my monitor had fallen off and not been tracking them. So yes, I was having them with my epidural and so yes, my body was progressing even though I didn't think so. Anyways, I endured THREE MAJOR contractions that were VERY uncomfortable to the point I said, "I think I need the nurse to check me...PLEASE leave family!" Right then my nurse walked in and she had the family leave...this baby was on it's way. So then she said that I was complete and the baby was right there. She immediately called my doctor (who had just gone home!) to return back. It takes him exactly 10 minutes to arrive back at the hospital. So let's just say those 10 minutes were SO LONG!!! He thankfully walked in at 8 minutes breathing VERY heavy and red faced. He got suited up, sat down, I pushed and out came our baby...BOY! It literally happened so quickly that I was totally prepared and ready for our little surprise baby...I LOVE little boys (thanks to our Jakey!)

Baby Caleb Jared was born at 8:16pm. I must admit this labor was LOVELY and besides a few minor complications (very different than my delivery with Jacob) I felt great. And because I had such little pitocin for a short time I didn't even get the shakes, chills, etc. That was a huge bonus!

The sisters surrounding their new nephew...Angela, Shandra, Krista!

I think Caleb's big sister will keep him!

Grandma Lou & Papi are proud grandparents of 11 grand kids!

Grandpa Randy and Grandma Nettie enjoying baby Caleb.

A few more...

Jacob is LOVING his baby "bwothow baby Kay-lup!"

I can't believe that I happened to pull out the camera, take the picture and then I looked at it and realized..."Oh, my he is actually SMILING!" I always say that these sweet little newborns are remembering Heaven while they sleep! Why else would they smile so often and randomly? This is one of Jared's favorite things to do on Sunday afternoons with our newborns. He loves to fall asleep with them.

Jake saying, "CHEESE!"

The other day the kids were being so silly. They both took turns wearing "garden" hats. I just had to remember the "cute" moments while my life with three kids I'm sure will start turning upside down!!!