Family Home Evening

I'm getting re-started on this family blog for the umpteenth time, but I refuse to give up completely.  Also, I'm so happy with my new camera TJ and the kids got me for Christmas.  It takes better pictures, formats easier to the computer, and just all around great!  Also, the battery compartment isn't broken like my other one with batteries falling out every other shot.  Improved functioning is always a plus.  So, I've got more great pictures to share!  

Tonight we had our first Family Home Evening of the year.  TJ was able to be home instead of out-of-town for work, so we all really loved that.  Dinner was rough trying to get everyone to eat without fussing about something, but happily we were able to get everyone together to enjoy our family night. 

We started with one of Austin's favorite songs, "I am a Child of God."  

James shared a scripture he chose from the Book of Mormon, Words of Mormon 1:1-2.

TJ gave a good lesson on love with the two greatest commandments.  He knows a lot about that :)  It was probably more directed at the kids, but "loving means listening" was something we all needed to hear and act on more.

Then we enjoyed the sweet cocoa snowmen treats the kids got from Tia Kimberlina, Tio Marco and Elli.  Loved them! 

Then we got to sit by our warm fire in this very frigid Texas January, enjoying our hot chocolate and marking all the journeys the kids have been on in their short lives.  We gave each of the kids a U.S. map for Christmas to mark all the places they have gone and will continue to go in their lives.  I'm sure one day they will need a world map, but it's a good start to remember their early years a little better.  We looked through pictures to remember the places and times - memories to cherish forever. 

As always, we are looking forward to next week Family Home Evening again.....

Where The Dogwood Grows

Honey Girl

   A few weeks ago our sweet dog, Triumph taught our family a valuable lesson about death and the love that one has for a dear pet.  As a father, I am always amazed that God has put on this earth, even in something so simple and lovable as a Dog, an opportunity for growth and understanding.  This morning we were taught another lesson about love, friendship, and the enduring bond of companionship, even in animals.  Triumph's best friend and companion is, and has been, Honey.  Tiff and I found her on the side of the road several years ago when we were expecting James.  Someone had dumped her and another puppy by a trash bin and left them to fend for themselves.  I spent about 30 minutes trying to catch both of them, but Honey was the only one that would let me catch her.  The other scampered off into the woods where I couldn't get him.  The idea was to take her to the pound.  I should say MY idea was to take her to the pound.  Tiffany soon grew to love her, as she does all stray animals and people, and decided that we should keep her.  She became our third dog, and for a while, her and Tiff were the only girls in our house of boys:  Moab, Triumph, James, and Me.  Honey became very loyal.  When we moved to our new home she developed a passion for barking, and waking the neighbors.  We tried everything to get her to stop.  Shock collars, spray bottles, threats, but none of them worked.  Shortly before Triumph passed, we got a collar that would spray her when she barked and that seemed to help.  But when Triumph passed, she stopped barking completely - the product of a broken heart.  As Tiff's mom and we have nursed her and tried to help her the last few weeks, we have seen a change in Honey that was much deeper than just losing another dog that she could run and play with.  Her heart was broken.  She was in pain.  James and Jade would go out and throw a ball with her.  That seemed to help.  We gave her more attention, and that seemed to help some.  But it couldn't overcome the grief she felt for her buddy, her companion, Triumph. She's always had bad hips and over the last few days she hasn't been able to walk.  We took her to the vet to see what he could do and he gave her a shot to help with the inflammation. We brought her home Wednesday from the vet and tried to nurse her back to health, giving her liquids through a syringe so that she would drink.  As I went out this morning to give her some more pedialite I could tell that she had passed on.  Minutes before I had seen her move some, trying to get in a better position.  Many people have thought that we were a little nuts to have 3 dogs.  There are times when I have agreed with them. But today our sweet Honey taught our children, and us, something that words could never possibly convey.  That love and friendship is a strong bond.  That those ties are stronger than any rope or cable.  That loyalty is a trait to be admired, nurtured, and never abandoned.  As Easter Sunday approaches we will be reminded of that bond.  We will remember the love that our Savior has for us, and that the loyalty and love that He has for each of us made it possible for us to repent and live again.

In between Honey and Triumph we have planted a Dogwood tree.  It is one of my favorites, and a tree that always reminds me of my Dad.  Every time that tree blooms in the spring time it will remind us about love, loyalty, and friendship and that those bonds continue from this life to the next.  Thank you, Honey and Triumph, for teaching us the value of a good furry friend, even though it hurts when we have to say goodbye.

TJ

Where the Dogwood Grows

 

 

The kids made these cards for Honey:

Jade's Honey Picture

Jade's Card

Triumph & Honey's Big Red Dog House

Austin's ONE!

This feels like the fastest year of our lives.  Our baby Austin is 1!  He is sweet, cuddly, stubborn, lovable, smart, adorable, playful, loves his big brother and sister, and is a mama's boy (for now).  He claps, waves, he's ticklish, laughs,"talks," says "DADA," rolls all over, learning to finger eat, sits up by himself, and now we know he loves cake!  Austin is such a blessing to our family and we hope and pray for his continued progress and good health.  He lights up my day.  Over the last year I have often thought, "What was I ever concerned about taking care of a baby?  Austin is so easy.  It's my other two that argue, disobey and are most difficult at times.  I can just love, clothe, change, and feed Austin and he's so happy."  There's is something wonderful about every age of life, but nothing like having a baby around to bring so much happiness to our home.  Thank you, Austin!  You continue to inspire me and bring joy everyday.  We love you!

We practically had a week-long celebration.  We will start with his TEXAS party....

The morning of the party, Daddy ran his first 1/2 Marathon with Austin's name on the back of his NDSS running shirt.  He did awesome and we all got to see him run in at the finish line.

Then the party started that afternoon.  We had a Texas photo backdrop for everyone to take pics for Austin to see later who came to celebrate his BIG AS TEXAS #1 Birthday with us.  Everyone shared some of their favorite things about Texas with the props they chose. 

Mommy & Austin

Ashley Cheney gets credit for this great shot.  She says she never catches this so she was so excited that she got a good one.  Thanks, Ashley!

Granny Great, Papa Paul & Nana Noi

Grandma Waite & Grandma Great

Tio Marco, Baby Elli & Tia Kimberlina with one of their favorite things about Texas :)

Baby Elliana & Austin

The Mathis Fam - Brandon, Emerson, Felicia & Donaven

We played "Pin the Star on Austin" - Texas, of course, not the baby :)

James' turn

Jade's turn

Jackson's turn

Our winner was....Kaitlin!

Gift Time

Granny Chris made Austin this precious pillow case with all our family pics on it.  I love it and I know he will too!

A new toy to play with from the Mathis Fam!

More toys!

Paper is the best, though.

Our little Texan was ready for his cake.  He is the cutest in his adorable cowboy hat from Papa Paul & Nana Noi.

Wish I had videoed him eating the cake because he really tore into it...

...as you can see :)

Our Texas decor included the party favors made with help from friends and family - THANK YOU!

Cousins - TJ & Kim

Young Cousins - Grayson, Kim & Jason

Jade & Emerson are best buds

Carol & Papa - Native Texans are AWESOME!

Jason, Kim, Uncle Frankie, Grayson & Aunt Debra

Austin was tired after a long party day.

We included some of our favorite Texas traditions:  Bluebell Ice Cream & Texas Sheet Cake

Asleep for Ms. Heather (his Physical Therapist) and...

Happy and awake for Ms. Jessica (his ECI coordinator).

Austin's Birthday with just us.

He has the greatest smile!

He's showing us his cool moves

Gifts from Mom, Dad, James & Jade...

Notice the Texas Flag Bag

A new mini-diaper bag!

He loves to read with James & Jade

More playing time with new toys and the cutest little cowboy around these parts....

Guess what March 21st is every year?  WORLD DOWN  SYNDROME DAY!  So, Jade, Austin & I rocked our socks in honor of Austin's extra chromosome which is the 3rd copy representing the 3rd month of the year and on the 21st day because it's his 21st chromosome.  Not only is it just 3 days after Austin's birthday, it's also his best bud, Lincoln's birthday too who was born the same year. 

AUSTIN IS ROCKING HIS 3 SOCKS BECAUSE HE ROCKS HIS EXTRA CHROMOSOME!

All three of us stacked up together having tons of fun!

This was part of the party decor, but here are the up-close shots of Austin in 12 months:

Birth

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

1-year-old and ready for more adventures!