When it Rains, It Pours.

I can not let another day go by without expressing my tremendous gratitude to all the wonderful souls who have given us 'Christmas' this year.

I have posted on this before, but occasion calls for it again.

We live a fairly typical life of college students struggling to make it with the added excitement and joy of two little angels residing with us. This last block of classes have been extra tight as patrick has not been able to work a full part-time schedule due to his class load.

I am reminded of several teachings, sayings, and principles.

Thanks to Patrick's incredibly strong testimony of paying tithing, we have been faithful tithe-payers. There have been a few times when I felt pretty strongly that if we would simply have faith and pay a full tithe, the Lord would bless us, that the 'windows of heaven would open and we would not have room enough to receive it'. I have not been mistaken.

I am then reminded of 2007's Visiting Teaching lessons- of being an instrument in God's hands. It is amazing to observe how the Lord works his mighty miracles. I believe that he has used our friends and family as his instruments and blessed our lives through them.

So, whether they read this or not, Thank you. Thank you so much to those who have helped us through this time, whether realizing our struggles or not. Thank you for being the Lord's hands on earth. Thank you for filling our lives and helping us remember we are not alone, that Heavenly Father is mindful of us.

When we were pretty low and not sure how we'd make it...

Thank you for filling our fridge, freezer, and pantry. (again.) Thank you for the 'belated birthday' checks. Thank you for helping me to go to the doctor when I was so sick. Thank you for the 'extra' turkey, the homemade soup, bread, and the veggies. Thank you for opening your homes to us. Thank you for the gift card for Channing's birth that made it possible for us to have something for our kiddos to open Christmas morning. Thank you for the anonymous diapers,wipes,baby food,granola bars, and generous 'donation'. Thank you for watching our kids. Thank you for the love, the hugs, the laughs, the dinners, the company, the friendship.

Please feel our tremendous gratitude, our overwhelming feelings of love for you who have helped us in our times of need- please receive the deepest meaning of these simple words:

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

"For when ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

COUGAR MANIA

Patrick left this morning to bolster the musical efforts of the BYU Cougar Marching Band as they attend the Las Vegas Bowl game.

We are very. big. BYU. fans. it's true.

exhibit A:
Christian heard the fight song many, many times while still in the womb.

Minutes after Channing's birth, patrick started to sing a soft lullaby, then stopped. "Wait! What am I thinking?! ..."Rise all Loyal cougars!...etc. " much to the amusement of the fellow BYU fan nurse. :)

exhibit B:
BYU COUGAR MARCHING BAND DRUMS SHOW is the #1 most requested item of entertainment at our house.
Christian could watch said dvd 54983 times in a row. and still be happy. trust me on this one.

exhibit C:
Most used 'toy' in our house: a tin can with a plastic lid accompanied by a plastic cooking spoon, which together creates a very beloved COUGAR MARCHING BAND DRUM.

exhibit D:
two of the 3 most requested 'bedtime' songs: Go Mighty Cougar Song and Rah Rah Rah Song. (the other is Temple Song. So Im doing SOMETHING right here, people. :) )

exhibit E:
Other than the moon, the most looked for and exciting outside object to be found:
the BYU COUGARS Y on the mountain.

There are many other exhibits, however, I think exhibits A-E will provide substantial evidence.

But just in case....

in honor of said cougarness, i would like to post one of the worlds greatest School Spirit pictures. which is several months old. Sue me. (not really, please. on second thought, go right ahead, but it REALLY is not worth your time. Trust me, people. there are richer people to sue.)

Exhibit F:


GOOOOOOOO COUGARS!!!!

p.s. as I type this, Christian is whacking a ruler against an empty calculator case saying "go mighty cougars! Go team! Go BYU! BYU COUGARS! come on cougars! Rise and shout! rise and shout! Rah rah rahrahrah!" (that is typed verbatium).

point proven?

So, last week we ran out of flour.


And Christian wants a sandbox.


And yes, the two are directly related.





Note to Self:

2.3 minutes of quiet = T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

5 months

Okay- so, we've been in TX for the last month having a Blast at the Hadfield Family reunion. Thanks Mom and Dad for hosting us, and for helping (with Nate and Molly) to get us out there! It was super awesome and I plan on writing more on it later.

In other words- while we were away, the Great Chan Man turned 5 months. (on Nov. 11.) (yes, yes, it was awhile ago. Hush.)

HOW HANDSOME IS HE?!?!

SUPER, That's How.

woah. Seriously. What a Hunk.

Stats at his 4 month appt:
head size: 7%
Weight: 28%
Height: Off the Charts(way Tall!)

hmmm.....sound like a grown man I know? I think so!