Teaching Moments

 Joyanne practicing the piano this morning.  She loves the piano and continues to improve.



My 5 wild and crazy boys bring such joy to me. I love getting to feed them breakfast, give the little ones baths, and read them stories. Even when they have a hard time, I enjoy the teaching moments.

This morning we learned about "acting for ourselves" from the scriptures. I only read a few verses, but the kids really soaked up the meaning of the scriptures I was talking to them about. HJ came up to me afterward and said, "Mom, I really liked what you talked about."

Learning Opportunities

 I love hanging out with my kids.  My 2 oldest were being silly last night as we were playing around.  Joyanne and Noah are such big helpers.  They are great with the little ones.  Occasionally they are the ones causing the problems, but mostly they help out a lot.

I love being a mom to these great kids.  I feel very fortunate to have each and every one of my children.  The Lord has surely blessed our family.

At night I get lonely after I put the kids to bed.  I enjoy journaling, reading, and watching the news, but I miss a companion, my Prince Charming, being next to me and having casual, adult conversation.  I've decided, even though I'm a people person, I get to learn to enjoy being on my own.

Daddy-O got to practice high-speed driving and chasing yesterday.  He said it was like riding on a roller coaster and on one particular drive, he threw up with other co-workers looking on and laughing.  He, too, was able to laugh a little afterward, but he didn't feel well and was exhausted by the end of the day.  So driving was not as easy or as fun as he thought it would be, but a learning opportunity and challenge to meet none the less.

Isn't life great with so many opportunities to grow and learn from?!?

Sister Talk

Between last night and today I talked with my sister, Linda, for 3 hours and 55 minutes.  We had a good heart-to-heart talk.  I often wish I lived closer to my family.

 

Even though I don't live closer to my family, I get to enjoy close relationships with friends and ward members.  We live in a great ward with very caring and kind people whom we will miss dearly when we move.

I exercised this morning for the first time in a very long time.  The exercise felt so refreshing and helped my back and legs release a lot of the stiffness and pain that is there.  Exercise is so good for the body!

Happy 9th Birthday, Noah!

Happy, HAPPY Birthday, Noah!!!

Noah doesn't officially turn 9 until 2:24p.m.  That was the time I had him not so many years ago.  I was thrilled at having our first boy. 

Originally we were going to call him Tyler Jacob (maybe nickname him TJ), but a week before he was born, Daddy said we should call him Noah.  At first my response was . . . "That's such an old name.  No one names their kid that.  It's like from the Bible."  Then the name kinda stuck and sounded good. 

I agreed as long as his middle name could be Alonso after his great-great Grandpa, Moses Alonzo.  His great-great uncle (Moses Alonzo's brother) was name Noah Alfonzo.  Kinda neat!

Thus was born our amazing Noah Alonso Bills.  Funny thing is that year, the name, Noah, was one of the top 10 boys names.

Family Time

Noah's birthday is tomorrow but he got to open a few presents early so Daddy could be here to see him.  Noah absolutely LOVED the Pokemon box of cards and folder pouches.  He and the others poured over the cards examining each one.

We have so enjoyed having Daddy home this weekend.  He has made dinner twice, played endlessly with the kids, and done the dishes several times as well.  It has been heavenly to have him home and reminded us how important family time is.  We are anxious for the time when we all will be together and settled.

Grant went to nursery by himself for the whole 2 hours today for the first time.  He even stayed in Sacrament Meeting the whole time and was so good.  Our little baby boy is growing up!

12 Year Anniversary

Happy 12th Anniversary!

We are celebrating our 12th anniversary today.  It seems like yesterday when my Prince Charming took me on the steps of the Salt Lake Temple and proposed.  The moment was truly a charming one.  Kissing across the altar of the temple and seeing each other go on and on and on through the mirrors was a glimpse of eternity.

We have had a very happy 12 years with 6 wonderful kids to show for it.  It's our children that have helped us see the best and the worst in each other and still stick it through.

Marriage is so wonderful.  The other day my daughter said, "I don't think I want to get married.  It's so hard!"  I proceeded to tell her how truly wonderful marriage is.  Marriage is definitely hard at times and raising kids takes an amazing amount of patience and love.  But it is all worth it and it all provides opportunities to grow and learn.

"Absent makes the heart grow fonder" is a phrase I've heard a lot.  Being apart from my Prince Charming while he is away training for his new job has been very difficult to say the least.  But the time apart has shown us how much we really need each other and love each other.

So on to more of a blissful marriage and may we have another 12 years of fun, excitement and learning!!! :)

The Man We All Love

Daddy is home and we sure can't get enough of him.  We can't wait until we get to be together permanently and are hoping our house sells soon so we can.  Finding a home in Utah will be another adventure.