The Book that has Changed My Life

When I left for Ukraine I set a goal to read this book everyday and finish it in the five months I was teaching English. As I started prayerfully studying and reading this book something was changing. I couldn't quite put my finger on it. But I was changing and others were starting to notice. I was smiling more and genuinely felt more happy. I felt more concern for others. I LOVED going to church and learning more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My prayers became more sincere and more frequent. I found myself praying in my heart through out the day for me, friends, family, and random people on the metro. I had a stronger desire to keep the commandments and do what is right. I still wasn't perfect..and am still FAR from that but I realized I stopped caring as much about what others thought of me and more about what my Heavenly Father thinks of me. Family became more important than social life and serving became more important then a 'good time'. As I read the pages of this book I wanted to keep reading. I would stay up late reading and when I did stop I was looking forward to when I could start reading again. I did finish all 531 pages of the Book of Mormon and I gained such a deep love for this book. Since that time I have read it a few more times, on my own and with my husband and each time I feel that this book is special.

I believe that the messages and stories contained in this book are true. I know that it testifies of the life and mission of Jesus Christ. I know that it contains the word of God and by living by the teachings of this book we can come closer to Christ and closer to the person He wants us to be. I would challenge anyone to read this book, with an honest question in heart if it is true, and you will get your answer. I have asked and know that it is. My life has been forever changed and continues to change because of it. I am grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who sent His only Begotten Son to preform the Ultimate Sacrifice for us so that we may be welcomed back into the arms of our Father because of His Son's Grace. This plan is a plain and precious truth further explained in the Book of Mormon and that if read it we will know if it is truly from God. 

Moroni 10:4

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

Feel free to ask me any questions about this book or about other beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or visit www.mormon.org to find out more of what we believe.

My Daily Reminder of my Commitment as a Mother

 I am a Mother. I have an eternal bond with my children. As they grow I will be there to love and nurture them, tuck them in, discipline them, and cheer them up. I will teach my children in the home about the doctrines and principles of the gospel. I will be there to send off and welcome my children home. to listen when they call. I will be there to encourage exploration, creativity, and having FUN!! I will find joy in the journey of motherhood EVERYDAY. I will be there to encourage and to build faith. I will be there by their side when others have left, forgot, or betrayed. I  will be in the details of daily life. I will be a loving, mentoring, and cheerful mother who has a purpose and remembers that I am not alone-All things are possible through Jesus Christ.



Most of this came from a very inspiring mormon message for Mothers Day
Mothers 

Domesticated

My first sewing project! I wanted to make a summer car seat cover for Mac. Lance gave me strict instructions when I was picking out fabric that it had to be "manly. none of this girly stuff" So I picked John Deer-as manly as you can get right? It matches McKay's favorite John Deer blanket that his Aunt Bridget gave him. So here is my attempt at being domestic. 

He wasn't to thrilled about posing for this picture-but check out his awesome jacket! Thanks Uncle Clark!!

2 months ALREADY?!?!?!

I thought life would slow down after becoming a mom.... boy was I wrong! Time has been flying by! I'm so glad we have forever because this life just isn't enough time with my boys.

Two month stats are in!! And McKay is officially a CHUNK!!!

This picture does not do his double chin justice

Birth Stats:                                                                                            

Weight: 7.6 pounds (25^th percentile)

Length: 19.5 inches (10^th percentile)

Head circumference: 36 cm (25^th percentile)

2 Month Stats:

Weight: 12.0 pounds (61^st percentile)

Length: 23.5 inches (74^th percentile)

Head circumference: 39.5 cm (45^th percentile)

He is getting huge! check out that jump from 10th percentile to 74th in length! That explains why he is still eating about every 2 hours..he is growing like crazy!!! 

McKay also got his 2 month vaccinations. Vaccination is something I have become a little passionate about... but it didn't make it any easier for me to do it! I was so nervous about him being in pain from the shots that I called my doctor to see what I could do to help him. But Mack was a champ!! He just fussed but not one single tear! So of course we get home and I wanted to help him by giving him a little baby Tylenol...yeah he cried for like ten minutes! He just looked at me like he couldn't believe what I had just done to him! So shots are no big deal for the kid but don't come close to him with medicine :)

Still loving every second of motherhood! Lance gave me the BEST.PRESENT.EVER!

Here are some pictures of what we have been up to lately:

I am in love with his big brown eyes!

I never knew how much fun bath time really could be! (look at those guns!!)

A friend took a picture of Lance in church during Elders Quorum..McKay decided the lesson was a little boring :)

I love this boy!

What a cutie!

As soon as he wiggles his arms out of that swaddle he is up!

We went to a Married Student Stake dance.. we went for the free food

He was pooped after only 15 minutes!

Precious Firsts

Wednesday, January 2013 is a day to go down in history. Mack had most important First's:

1. First blow out
2. First diaper size upgrade
3. First outfit outgrown
4. First real tears
5. First 5 hour sleep
6. FIRST SMILE :)

McKay hit his 6 week growth spurt with a bang! But I am most proud of number 6. I worked so hard for that first smile! He had done little smirks here and there and TONS of smiles in his sleep but I wanted to only count his first real purposeful smile. And now he is a smiling/laughing machine! (when he is in the mood of course) It is so fun to see McKay grow and learn. I have the worlds best job! I am so blissfully in love with that boy. Lance and I have been having so much fun with him! Lance is so cute to watch with him and Mac is definitely a daddy's boy. We can't get enough of this cute little boy!! Here are some pictures to show off how adorable this boy is

McKay had his Baby Blessing Dec. 3rd- I made him a tie using the back side of Lance's tie. I thought it was cute that they matched :) It was a very special day for this very special boy.

We went to Logan to visit Rob & Bridget after Christmas and had a blast! I went to Le Mis with Kathryn and Lance gave McKay his very first bottle!

He is always smiling in his sleep

I'm in love! I'm in love! And I don't care who knows it!!!!

My favorite outfit-skinny jeans and a hoddie

Getting his snowsuit to go on a walk with me outside

We thought he looked like papa smurf

We LOVE his carseat cover

This is his "I'm not ready to wake up yet" face

Is it any wonder why we love him so much? My whole life would not be enough time with Lance and him. I'm so glad we have eternity! The plan of salvation is so much more real to me since having a family. What a merciful and loving Father in Heaven we have. I am grateful for the gospel and saving ordinances that allow us to be a family forever. 

 

He's just growing up too fast! 2 weeks and counting

2 week update:

• McKay officially has a belly button! The umbilical cord fell off after a week. 
• He left the hospital weighing 7.0 lbs and by 1 week was back up to birth weight at 7.6 lbs. Today at his 2 week appointment he weighed in at a whopping 8.0 lbs! The doctor was pretty impressed that he is gaining more than an ounce a day. I wasn't too shocked because this kid LOVES to eat! (and when you look at who his parents are that is no shocker)
• He can suck his thumb and sometimes hold onto his binky.
• Has only spit up twice
• Smiles in his sleep 
• He loves his morning skin to skin cuddle time with dad
• Gets the hiccups at least five times a day! 
• And he is getting more cute and lovable by the minute!

I have only been a mother for 2 weeks, but already I know my life will never be the same. 

 Here are some things that I have already learned.

1. I cry. A lot more. Happy tears of course! I cry at anything to do with children and motherhood. Or anything that even reminds me of being a mom.

2. I expect to be peed on daily. McKay loves it when the diaper is off and he can squirt anything and everything nearby!

3. I live for and cherish the "little moments". I never knew how much pure joy could come into my heart from my son doing things like holding onto my finger, smiling in his sleep, making cute old man faces, cuddling,nursing, kissing, singing while tickling his face, and when he looks at me with those big dark eyes. All those little moments just melt my heart and remind me what real happiness is. 

4. Talking about bodily functions are now acceptable and even encouraged. Talking about pooping, burping, and tooting are all normal dinner conversations now.

5. I never fully loved my husband until I have seen him as a father. My love for Lance has just exploded since he has become a dad. One of my favorite things is to watch him play and love on our son. He is a wonderful father. My heart just keeps growing!

   

Mckay's Birth Story

 After 9 long months (or 272 long days) of anxiously waiting..our son FINALLY arrived! Meet McKay Randall Rhoten! Born December 6th, 2012 at 2:20 am. We couldn't be happier to have him in our arms and welcome him into our little family! He is perfect in every way!

McKay came into this world in a very fast...but not so furious way. His estimated "due date" was Nov. 30th, so I guess it wasn't that much of a wait but it sure felt like it! But we felt it was important to let him come into the world on his own time and in a natural way. Here is our birth story (and I love it!)

So McKay's due date came..and went. I was feeling great with consistent and very mild pre-labor contractions for the past month or so of pregnancy. Before realizing what they were, I remember telling Lance I still had abs! (Then at my 36 week appointment I had one while getting measured and my midwife told me that I was having contractions and it made a lot more sense :) I had also been dilated to a three for about a month and had been 70% effaced. 

Anyways, on December 5th I went to class, went on a walk, and we even went to a show that night just doing business as usual. Lance and I went to bed around midnight and about thirty minutes later I woke up with a sharp surge (contraction). I went to the bathroom and my water broke on the toilet..talk about convenient! I wanted to labor at home as long as possible and so I decided to take a bath to try to relax and pass the time. The contractions were getting more intense. It felt SO good to be in the warm water during the contractions. I wanted to "get ready" to go to the hospital so I would get out of the tub but then jump right back in because it was the only thing that felt good during the contractions. (Lance still thinks its funny I was worried about my hair and make up during labor) 

This went on until about 1:15 am-so about forty-five minutes. I could hardly stand during contractions now and decided it was time to go to the hospital. I woke up Lance and he had to help me get dressed. I was disappointed that I was going to the hospital so soon into labor but I just felt like things were going fast. In-between contractions on the drive to the hospital I called our midwife and the hospital, but during contractions I just kept my eyes closed and was deeply focused. To be honest I was doing a lot of praying! The contractions were getting very intense and I remember thinking that I couldn't do this for a few more hours. 

When we arrived at 1:45 am to the hospital I walked in and told the attendant I was in labor and she said to follow her. I walked a few steps but then told her I needed to be wheeled over. Again, I just kept my eyes closed and mind focused as they were talking to Lance and I. They kept mentioning that this was my first birth. They casually rolled me over and were not taking me very seriously. When I got to the room I told them I had to go to the bathroom so they left me and I had an undeniable urge to push. I checked and sure enough I felt his head! I told Lance and he didn't know what to do. (Poor guy) So I told him to get a nurse and she ran over and checked me on the toilet and started to panic as she said I was dilated to a 9 and 1/2. She had to keep her hand in-between my legs to "catch" him  in case he came out while I was walking to the bed. I was seated upright (which I loved) because I wanted to deliver in a sitting position.  I figured why not let gravity work with you.. It just didn't make sense to me to be laying down. 

Lance says this is where I became really "out of it". I said no thank you to an IV and was really impressed that my nurses were so supportive. I was so thankful for the skills I had learned during Hypnobirthing because this is where I really just "tuned into my body" and tuned everything else out. I was half asleep and singing in my head and really just excited to finally be getting closer to having my baby in my arms. My midwife arrived at the hospital about 15 minutes before McKay was born. I pushed during three contractions and he was out! He had the cord wrapped twice around his head but he was screaming and was perfectly healthy! 

As you can see I didn't have time to change so I am wearing Lance's shirt

They immediately placed McKay on my chest and I was in love!! Lance cut the umbilical cord and I did skin to skin and nursed McKay for the first time. It was a very special and sacred hour for our little family. 

He then was measured and had his first bath while I got cleaned up. He had good color and no sign of jaundice. When they were washing him he started to cry but as soon as he heard lance talk to him he stopped and looked for dad. It was precious.  

 I felt SOO amazing after birth! I honestly was on a pure adrenalin high! (I'm not sure I have come down yet!)  I didn't sleep for the next 2 days because I was just so excited. A few hours after birth I tuned to Lance and said that I think I could do that again :) SO that is McKay's natural birth story.

We left the hospital the next day with our bundle of joy!!