Timothy turns thirteen!

Today is Timothy's Birthday!!  He is officially a teenager!  It has been fun talking about all the memories of the last thirteen years of Timothy in our lives.  We also enjoyed talking about the day he was born.  We told him he came out like Tarzan holding the umbilical cord while peeing on the doctor.  It was funny because the doctor cracked a joke and said well we know he is going to be a good pianist, and now he plays the piano!:)  Timothy felt blessed that his Grandparents and cousin came to visit for his birthday weekend.  We told him he could pick the entire day.  The day consisted of board games, card games, VIDEO GAMES, going to the park, eating at Carousel cafe for lunch, bowling and having strogonaugh for dinner.  As you can tell by the list he is a very easy kid to please.  Here are some pictures from the day. 

                                                          Family Birthday photo.

                         I took to long taking the picture that Grandpa Abbott took a nap!!

                                            Nathan and Timothy playing Video games.

Clarissa and Samuel playing a card game with Sariah popping in because she heard "Say Cheese."

                                    Timothy, Clarissa and Sam having fun at the bowladium!

Timothy blowing out the candles on his carton of ice cream, because he is not a fan of cake!!


We ended the evening by playing a game of boggle.  It was funny hearing some of the words Sam was making up for example:  lanlat, tarsh, and nalt. 

And now for a trip down memory lane!!

This was a picture taken at Grandma Abbott's birthday when Timothy was less than a month old. 
It has been fun watching these four cousins grow up and become friends. 

Here are some picture taken just moments after our little guy was born, what a happy day!!!

                                            More pictures taken on the day Timothy was born!!

Nathan very excited to find out for the first time that he had a boy.  Also a bonus that he had his Grandpa Hakes nose. 

This is a personal favorite.  This is a picture of Nathan, Timothy, Uncle Jared and Uncle Bradley.  I must note that Bradley is thirteen in this picture, which is the same age Timothy is today!!:)

This last picture is somewhat sad, this was a time when the Niles family loved one another, it is sad how things have changed and new influences do not want to be a loving and happy family.  This picture shows up happiness is possible.  We will always love all members of the Niles Family!

Waiting to become a Mom!!

Timothy woke me up early this morning to spend time just the two of us.  It was fun looking through some old photo albums that we had not been through in years because we thought it would be to painful.  we soon found out we were in a place where peace has replaced pain and humor was some of the best medicine to calm our still wounded hearts.  It is amazing how time can change families and families must determine if it will change for the positive or the negative. I found this picture that was taken the day before I gave birth to Timothy to be quite humorous.  Little did Nathan or I know what an exciting ride of parenthood we were about to embark us.  We have had some of our happiest times as well as some of our saddest times, but one thing has remained, our love for one another and our commitment to our children and future posterity. 

                                        Nathan insisted on having a side profile picture!!!

Student of the Month

I was so proud of Tim when he came home with the Student of the Month Metal.  He received it for having straight A's, all O's, perfect attendance and no infractions.  My excitement soon ended the next day when I got a recorded phone call from the school informing my son or daughter had received a demerit.  The nice thing about my kids being spread apart is I know exactly who to blame when I get theses phone calls.  I t was never that easy for my parents, when they always had at least 2 of us in the school at one time.  When I confronted Tim, he started the denial process, until I told him I had received a phone call.   He received the demerit for forgetting his PE cloths.  If that is the worst I have to deal with in raising a teenager, I feel very blessed.  If you want to see a picture of Tim you can go to tpjhs-morongousd.ca.schoolloop.com.

Simply Simplifying!!

It is funny some times how we get so busy in life that we don't even have time to see how busy we are.  Are family has been having a lot of discussion on this topic.  Nathan and I are realizing that we are raising our kids to be like us, which is not always a good thing.  Both of us are constantly taking on things with good intention but sometimes not enough time.  We have decided this week that it is time that we start simplifying our lives. 

Nathan had the opportunity to speak in our ward today as the High Council Representative.  We had some good friends come and watch him speak.  I was very surprised at how well Sariah is behaving in church.  I think we are almost out of the difficult age.  Tonight Nathan and I will be going to the High School to set up and do the soccer banquet.  It will be nice to close the door on this season, it will also take one more weight off of Nathan's back.  I also have had a busy week between house, kid duties, church calling and volunteering at the Navy Marine Corp Relief Society, things have gone by rather quickly.  I also had the opportunity to go to a women's fireside last night, while Nathan took on kid duty.   I am looking forward to a more simply simplified week!!:)

Picture of how I found Nathan and Sariah upon returning home last night, I thought it was so cute!!  Sariah loves being with her Daddy!!

Good, Better, Best!!

It is interesting how life can take you in many different directions and at some points you don't know what you should do.  This weekend was one of those times.  We had many different activities before us and I was having a difficult time deciding what I should do.  I remembered a talk given by Dallin H Oaks in 2007 conference titled "Good, Better, Best."  This talk helped me make the best decision for the weekend.  My friend Angie went to the Temple for the first time and was sealed to her husband and two boys for time and all eternity.  I had the privilege in sharing this special day with them.  It makes you put your own life back in focus.  There may have been a dozen other places to be but this was the best!:)

I am excited as Timothy's birthday is fast approaching, it is hard to believe that thirteen years ago Nathan and I were anxiously awaiting the journey of becoming parents.  These thirteen years have brought us so many joys.  We have been blessed with such a responsible young man.  He knows where he is going and what he wants to become.   I know that being a parent is the "Best" thing we can do.   I love how every day of our lives we learn new and exciting things in this journey of life. 

Pinewood Derby

We had the opportunity to go to the pinewood derby with Sam.  He had his Uncle Nelson help him build his car.  Timothy also got to enter a car in the open division, and Uncle Nelson helped him as well.  Sariah got to race a pink car with her friend Angie.  It is always interesting to watch the kids as they race their cars.  We got to the race in what I thought to be plenty of time to way the cars in and get ready.  We found upon arrival that Sam's car was over weight by .1 of an oz.  Thankfully I packed a power Drill in the back of the van and proceeded to drill the metal out of the bottom of the car.  We made it in just the right amount of time.  I was proud to see the smile on Sam's face as he took first place and will be going on to the regional. I laughed when Tim got beat by a girl and her pink car.  Sariah and Angie got last place but Sariah was still very proud of her pink car and ready to eat dessert.  I have enjoyed watching Sam in this scout experience.

All the boys at the Pinewood derby with their cars.  Sam in the front row with his winning green car.

                                                          Samuel just after he won first place.

Sariah just after getting back from the drinking fountain, I don't think she got much in her mouth.  She is happy to be with her losing pink car!!!

                                            I guess this is how a Princess eats dessert!!

Family Trials

I've always liked the quote "The Rainbow of God's Promises is always above the trials and storms of life."  It wasn't until this weekend that I really saw the truth of this play out.  I think that people have the tendency to believe that blood relation is what a family is all about.  I have now seen that sometimes people take that for granted and feel they can do whatever they want and it will not matter because of the blood that relates them.

It was good for our little family this weekend to learn some horrible and awful truths about how our family has been treated behind our back.  It was hard at first, but after the tears (storm) left we saw a shining rainbow.  We are surrounded by so many wonderful people, who may not be linked to us by blood, but they love and treat us like were family.   We also were able to recognize how lucky we are to have each other.  We have so much to be grateful for as a family.  

Our kids do some of the funniest things.  We went to Denny's Monday night and it was fun to see how the kids laugh and joke with each other.  I have been so happy to see Sam as he learns the guitar, he played me Ode to Joy and Brother John.  I was very happy for Timothy this last week as he was recognized for straight A's this semester, he also had all O's for citizenship.  Timothy is very self motivated, he makes me proud.  It is amazing that in a years time Sariah went from not talking to having a clear conversation with anyone she meets. I am happy to see the High School Soccer season come to a close and to finally have my husband home.  I miss him when he is so busy, I think it is because he is not only my husband but he is also my best friend.  I love spending time with him!  I have been busy volunteering on base and truly enjoy serving our service men and women.  We have so much to be grateful for and know that the Lord will continue to pour out many more blessings as we follow his will in all we say and do.