provo city center temple

On Saturday we spent the day at the Provo City Center Temple celebrating Grandma and Grandpa Gerhauser's 65th wedding anniversary. They wanted to do sealings for some of our ancestors. It was so special. Corbin, Taylor, and Justin went in a little earlier and did some baptisms. All of us fell in love with the temple and the beautiful grounds.

We also explored some of the buildings nearby and afterwards we headed to good old Chuck O Rama with the family. Temples, family, and all you can eat food makes for a really good Saturday.

35 years old

I am now in my mid-30s. And I really love it. So far the 30s have been my favorite decade. Although the first and second decade weren't too bad, and the third was good too. I just really like where I am now.

In the past, the kids haven't always made a big deal about my birthday, it was just another day, and I was okay with that. Justin has done a good job at making me feel special. But something about this year got everyone wanting to celebrate big time. From sun up to sun down they were all so GOOD to me. The night before, Corbin mentioned a couple of times that he really wanted to tell me something, but he would try not to. But then he kept saying, should I just tell you. (He hates when there is a secret, he wants it shared) The next morning he and Justin came in singing happy birthday and brought me breakfast while carrying the birthday sign. Justin told me it was all Corbin's idea. He set his alarm extra early and he wanted to make pancakes, but Justin convinced him to simplify :) I woke up feeling so loved, and now I understand why it is such a big deal to the kids on their birthdays. ♥♥

The rest of the kids kept telling me happy birthday throughout the day and Rudger couldn't get enough of spoiling me. He gave me some of his leftover Easter candy and then wrapped up a dollar for me. (which is a huge sacrifice for a five year old ♥) He also sneaked into our bedroom and decorated it with pink crepe paper. For my gift, there was hardly any fights and kids were extra helpful.

Our favorite neighbors, a family with four girls, came the evening before and wrote sweet happy birthday messages all over our driveway. I felt so loved. I am totally going to do this from now on! Sweetest surprise!

We had tacos (which Corbin told me to sit down and he'd dish me up) and Dunford donuts with icecream and syrup (soooo good). 

Then we had Taylor and Levi's piano recitals (Levi's first) and came home to watch The Greatest Showman. 

I was so grateful for the texts and messages from sweet friends and family. I am surrounded by such good people. I went to bed feeling so loved. ♥♥♥ 

I like being 35.

It's so hard to see the chalk art, but trust me, it was happy and colorful. 

spring break 2018

 A couple of months before spring break we asked the kids what they would want to do. Without a moments hesitation, they said "STAYCATION"!! It's their favorite! We stay up late to watch movies, sleep in a little, there's very minimal kitchen cooking (mom is totally on break too!), restaurants and take out, and small adventures.

This year the highlights were Classic Fun Center, swimming, four square (and six square), Chinese food (so yummy!), watching Star Wars, and setting up our hand-me-down play set.

These days just make me want long summer days so so bad!! We are close!!

bike rider

He did it! Rudger's riding a bike without training wheels. Justin tried to get Rudger to ride last year, but he was not having it. A few nights ago, Justin convinced Rudger to try it out. Within 15 minutes, he was riding on his own! It was the most beautiful night to learn how to ride a bike.

Justin was impressed with how well Rudger would slow down and stop the bike with such ease...that's usually the hardest part.

Riding bikes is one of our favorite things to do as a family. Yay for having another grown-up bike rider! I have a feeling there will be lots of warm summer evening rides this year. ♥♥

momma's girl

 

 Adeline is the biggest momma's girl and I really don't mind one bit. 

We always felt like five kids was our number. Having each of our kids has been some of the happiest moments of our married life. I felt so much like a 'boy mom' after having Levi and I truly loved it! After we moved into our current home, we were completely ready for another baby. Before we even became pregnant, I just KNEW it would be another boy and I was more than okay with it. I didn't like that people seemed to pity me. I was SO happy to have another boy. (and looking back, we can't imagine our life without Rudger, he was meant to come to us at that time)

When we started talking about having our last baby, I felt slightly nervous. I knew five was our number, but this felt so final. If we were to have another boy that would be just fine, but my heart did long to have a girl and I so badly wanted to see Justin with a daughter. 

We had an ultrasound when I was almost 14 weeks pregnant. The doctor asked if we should check the gender, I didn't think that was possible, but sure. When he started looking, we found something that looked a lot like it was a boy. My heart did sink just slightly, but then it was gone. The doctor kept checking and then told me he was 95% sure it was a girl. I didn't believe him. My 17 week appointment came and he said 99% sure. I sort of believed him then. The nurses told me that if he said 99%, then you can trust him. At my official big ultrasound appointment, they said 99.9999% 

The day she was born, the first thing I said was, "is it really a girl" and then I cried happy tears. I felt so lucky to have a daughter!

So yes, from day one she has been a huge mama's girl! She has plenty of moments when she just wants daddy, but in the end, we all know who she prefers :)  Adeline often comes running over to me, grabs my legs, and turns back to her brothers and yells, "no, it's my mama"  So yes, she is a mamma's girl ♥♥  

a conference we'll never forget

:: Every Wednesday, Adeline goes to our friends house so that I can go volunteer at the school. Our friend is in the MoTab, so all throughout Conference, Adeline was so excited to find 'Heather!!!' ::

I started this Conference with happy, grateful tears and ended it with those same emotions. My heart is still so full. I had forgotten all that would be included in the Solemn Assembly, but as soon as we started I remember doing the same thing for President Monson. Watching President Russell M. Nelson, with tears in his eyes, made me feel so grateful that he is our prophet!

The talks were oh so good and all of the announcements were crazy, but at the same time it all felt right.

I don't think anyone was expecting our prophet to announce 7 temples at the end of conference...seven!! Justin teasingly said, Kaysville, Utah...how about, Layton Utah...Layton Utah. Then a moment later President Nelson announced Layton Utah!! We were all jumping up and down screaming. It was such a happy moment. Then I all but lost it when he announced a temple a Russia. (and India too)  The work continues to move forward ♥♥♥ I hope our kids always remember this moment and remember how special temples are!!

We ate orange rolls and baked omelets throughout most of Saturday. (I had planned on making other foods but we just kept coming back to these) We had our word jars by the tv and all of the boys did a really good job listening to the first session, the others sessions were hit and miss. We also sneaked in a bike ride and some basketball. 

This was such a great way to celebrate Easter weekend and to kick off our spring break!! But one things for sure, this is definitely a Conference we'll never forget! ♥♥♥