Bryson's 5th Birthday

Dear Bryson,

You turned 5 and boy were you super, duper excited. The Rollins had sent a huge rescue hero set home with us, video included. We gave that to you and a tool bench to put in your room. You loved it!
Mostly you loved your party. Uncle Derek and Uncle Jalen made it possible for you to ride quads. We invited Wyatt and Cash. Derek’s kids and Colten came and it was a blast. You rode one quad for 45 minutes straight and were so proud of yourself. You said it was your best birthday ever!

I love you. I love your tender ways. You have a sensitive heart and are easily hurt and easily soothed. You love to serve. You love the feeling that comes when you do something all by yourself. You love to help Dad. In fact, you love to help everyone. Many people have tried to steal you from us . We have to remind them that you are OURs to keep forever.

I am so grateful that your valiant, noble, and humble spirit has come and that the little brothers have you as an example to follow. You make such a difference in my life and I am so grateful for you!!!!

I hope all your birthdays are “the best ever!”

I love you.

MOM

Utah Trip and Rebekah's Baptism Feb 2010

We returned home from our trip up to Pleasant Grove, Utah for Rebekah Rollins’ Baptism. She is 6 weeks younger than Livy. We brought Cameron Bentley with us so the three 8 year old gals would have a chance to make a memory. We hope for them to be a great friends in the years to come. We are so blessed to have a big family.

We took the kids sledding in the nearby canyon. We just went down some side roads at a church owned park site. It was so fun! We left just as the kids were all uncomfortable and we were home in less than 20 minutes. That is a perk of having wonderful family so close to the snow!!!

It was a quick and fun trip. We left Sunday just after sacrament and of course, Daddy-O got us home safe and sound in time for him to run back to work. He is superman in the flesh...

Brian's Birthday

I surprised Brian and had the Hatch Family keep the kids overnight and Brian and I spent a night alone at home with the luxury of sleeping as LATE as we wanted. We actually used our movie money and saw Avatar and IRonman 2. We went out to eat and just laughed and hug out with each other. Brian is still so sick. I can tell some things are weighing on him more than he can say. He is an amazing man. We went and hiked wind cave just before getting the kids-- even though Brian still struggles to breathe :)

Dear Brian,

I always find it hard to express how I really feel for you. I can list the THOUSANDS of things you do for me and THE MANY things I love about you, but it is hard to capture with any words the complete and total love I feel for you. When I think of being able to do anything I want, I think of being with you. When I see anything that leaves me in awe, or hurt, or happy, or excited, or angry, or thoughtful (especially regarding our children)...I want to share it with you and wonder how soon I can talk to you. You have been so kind to often receive one of these sharings as it abruptly interrupts your day. There is very little that motivates me to live the way your love does and I am so grateful to celebrate your birth to this earth as it has made my entire life richer.

I love you.

Janna

Fall Market November 2009

We got word of a home school fall market where kids make their own "business" and then come with small change and go around and purchase the things they want.

We found out the day before, but I felt like we should pull something together and do it. It was freezing and I brought NO jackets for anyone. We ran around and got to know more people. However, one HUGE blessing was that Sara Fisk and her family came. She made yummy fruit leather and I was her number one customer. Even though for the next few weeks we had tons of family things. She and I and our children have become good friends...a friendship that I can clearly see as a tender mercy and an incredible gift. We love them.

We made DEC and TAKE Cupcakes and they sold OK. The kids made less than 8 dollars by the time all was said and done. We figured that next year food is only good to make if you can take it home for later. It was fun to discuss the pros and cons of our business.

Olivia won a free dessert from a drawing and was SO excited.

They had a chicken chase at the end, which also was exciting. It warmed the kids up.

Mason's 3rd Birthday

Mason LOVES trains, so of course he got a train and we went to Freestone Park and rode the train as a family for his birthday. It was a relaxed birthday for party and we had so much fun. It is hard to plan too far in advance for his birthday since it is the day after Christmas. My letter to him is below:

Dear Mason (Mas –E-O),
A little less than three years ago, we wondered if we’d get to keep you here on earth with us. Now are lives are enriched as we look into your dark brown eyes to feel your soul reach out. You went through a little funk where you seemed frustrated by something. We found that what you needed more than anything was to be held. Daddy and I took turns holding you as your sobbed or just laying by you as you got ready for your naps. Tender moments! We love you so much.

Things I have learned about you this year are: You love to talk!!! You make up stories frequently. It took a few stories for me to see it was real ONLY in your imagination.  It is great to hear you talk about all things being ‘DARK BLUE’ and to hear you talk about working with Dad. For MONTHS, you would pray every day that you could go to work with Dad. Every morning as we said our daily positive affirmations you would say, “I love to work with Dad.” I believe that these vocalized affirmations have increased your desire to be with Dad and consequently your relationship with Dad has gotten better.

You love to ride scooters and to play with water. You jump on the trampoline, often times alone. I watch you and wonder what you are thinking…and who you are shouting to. Do you still see beyond what we can? It is such a joy to be your Mom.

Because I am writing this note in February when I realized I hadn’t done it, I want to write down an experience with you this weekend while we were in Utah. We were rushing into a church building to make the earliest sacrament meeting so we could then drive home.

You asked if this was our church (meaning building).
I said no.
Who’s is it?
We don’t know. It is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, so we are coming here to show love to Jesus and take the sacrament.
After we walk in the doors, you say, “Where is Jesus? I don’t see him. Where is he?”
I tell you that we usually don’t see him. We can just feel him.
We can feel him.
Yes, We can feel His presence.
I don’t feell His presents. Where are his presents? I want to feel them.
I laugh and tell you that it is a different kind of presence. We can feel the love Jesus has for us and that brings peace and calm to our lives. We feel His love.
Oh, you say…maybe you liked the idea of touching His Presents better? It seemed you went quite and thought about it. 

You are a DELIGHT! We love to hear you, our little jabber jaw, talk and talk. Thank you for the fun you bring to our family.

We love you so much! Hope you love your train that you got for your birthday.

Love,

Mom

Christmas 2009

With Brian so sick, Christmas season seemed to be a little less relaxing. I guess it is always filled with lots to do, but I just wanted it to last longer so that he would have more time before the first of the year stuff began with work.

We had a 12 by 12 foot fort built out back for the kids. We will add to it as time goes on, but for now it has a rock wall and some stairs up to it. We are saving for a big slide and eventually hope to even put zip line near it.

Brian had them line up and march on in the morning of Christmas. It was fun to have so many aware of what was to come.

We had many cookie decorating parties, including one with the Rudd Family which happened later in the year than normal because of Olivia's baptism.

Livy, Ellie, and Cameron sang at our Hall Family Christmas Eve Party. It is fun to see them have a cousin their age in town on the Bentley side.

Olivia's Baptism

Olivia’s Baptism—

We were so blessed to have the Bobby and Angie Bentley Family and the Annie and Darren Rollins family stay with us through Thanksgiving and Olivia’s Baptism. It was a seriously fun and busy time.
After Olivia woke up, many of her cousins left to go to Chanda and Richard’s house so Moms could get their hair done by Chanda. Livy SO wanted to go and play with her cousin Cameron, but decided to stay and best prepare for this special day. After breakfast we made her up a bubble bath and she and I talked about things that would help her feel ready for her baptism. We put on a little church movie as she sat in the tub, as movies are a big deal to Livy. I could see she was itchy and not really comfortable so I moved the movie to my room and she took a shower. She sat there and watched as painted her finger and toe nails. I did her hair as she sat down and made her some lunch. The time came too quickly for her to leave with Brian. I had cleaned her dress from the mud of Bentley Family Pictures the day before and ironed it just in time to send her and Brian to the church. My first born off for the most important moment of her life.

I frantically ran around after that readying the house and getting myself and other kids ready for the baptism. I arrived at the church only 10 minutes before it began. I said hi to everyone who had come. Marcelle was already there, Moms, Ariane and Wood and girls, Grandpa Ben, Blaine and Karen Vance, Joanna and kids, Bobby and Angie and kids. Ashdowns, Sweetnams, Leflers, Derek and kids, Aunt Joan, and her primary teacher all arrived soon after.

I was touched that Bishop Cowgur came. Brother Wagner, counselor and our home teacher was also there. We love him. He motioned to me a little after 3 to see if he should start. I gave him the go ahead before I realized that Mom Bentley was still not at the piano after her practice with Jenna and Aubrey. Brother Rogers and Derek, our speakers, were both not there yet…it was a little crazy. I ran out front to see who may be wondering in. Derek had just pulled up with his boys and I asked him if he would please speak first instead of second. Grandpa Ben said a longer prayer, which was perfect and then Derek gave an awesome talk, followed by Jenna and Aubrey’s song, and then Brother Rogers, who arrived during Derek’s talk due to lost keys, also gave such a sweet talk on Baptism. It was perfect.

After Olivia was baptized, we only took a few pictures. We were sad that we didn’t get a picture with her Grandmas nor with Brian and I together. We do have cute pictures of her though. We had soups and rolls at home after. Taya, Nicole, Mom, Darren and Aunt Jennifer helped with the soups. Chanda made cookies and it was simple and fun. I felt a little busy and stressed in the preparations for both the Thanksgiving dinner and then the baptism dinner at our house. I missed just hanging out with the family and not being the hostess, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I love having people at our house.


Dear my eight year old--Olivia-

I can hardly believe that it was eight years ago that I first held you in my arms. We were so happy to have you here on earth with us…FINALLY. It felt like we had waited SO LONG and then you made your grand entrance….just over 3 weeks early. It has been such an amazing time being your Mom. You have taught me so much with your passion for learning and doing anything, at anytime---without permission sometimes. I mess up sometimes as I try to understand your energy and channel it in a direction that will lead to happiness and joy. However, you are so quick to forgive me when I do mess up and I hope that you always know that forgiveness is a gift that we not only give, but it is one that we can receive when we truly seek it from Heavenly Father and those we hurt. It is a gift that allows the feelings of the spirit to be felt more powerfully. Repentance and forgiveness help us to understand the atonement of our Savior in a REAL way and they fuel our desire to love others and to see them and treat them as children of God. I am so grateful that you forgive me and give me this chance to feel the power of your love and of God’s love as I try to be better as a Mom and as a person. Thank you Livy.

I know that the decision you made to be baptized is right. You followed the example of our Savior PERFECTLY you know will get to continue down this path with faith and determination to be like our Savior. I know the Holy Ghost will help you when hard decisions come or when you are feeling down or have messed up. You can do ANYTHING as you follow the promptings of the spirit and stay close to the Lord. Your influence is powerful. I know there are many people you will touch and help throughout your life and I feel so honored to be one of those people…and to get to watch you as you change the world for a great many.

I am so proud of you. I love you LIVY….always no matter what.

Mom