I'm in for some trouble...

I know I'm biased, but I've always thought that my boys are pretty cute :)  Noah has a pretty good combination going for himself: blonde hair, blue eyes, tall & has a nice smile with dimples.  I've always wondered when I would have to start worrying about him becoming interested in girls.  We've watched some TV shows that have pretty women on them, and I've heard occasional comments from him about how they're pretty and one time I remember hearing: "She's hot, hot, hot!" That made me laugh... where is he learning these things?
Today at the pool I was talking to him about girls and talking/teasing him about whether or not he thought anyone was pretty.  He said no, making me very happy.  Then not 20 minutes later a little 6/7 year old girl (cute) walked into the pool area and I hear "Mom, that girl is hot!" I asked if he meant that she was hot and needed to get into the pool and cool off only to be corrected by letting me know she was hot, like pretty.  Great! I'm in trouble.
I always find things about him that are similar to me, and apparently this is one of them.  I was SO boy crazy when I was young.  I guess now is a perfect time to start explaining that girls have cooties??    

Joey

Since I'm finally getting back to my blogging regularly, I thought it was only right to properly introduce the newest member of our family.

Joseph William Stephenson

"Joey"

He was born on January 20, 2011 at 11:19 am

7 lbs 8 oz and 19 inches long

I was scheduled to be induced on the 20th (having been 4 cm dilated for 3 1/2 weeks) and from the time they broke my water to start the induction and Joey's arrival into the world took 2 hours and 19 minutes. They didn't use much pitocine, but about 40 minutes after my water broke I was getting regular contractions and they were really starting to hurt.  Realizing that I didn't want to be in pain I had the nurse get the anesthesiologist so I could get my epidural.  Brian came back from getting something to eat right as I was being prepped and shortly after I was feeling much better again.  Having had an irregular experience with the anesthesia wearing off with Noah I've always been a little sketchy about getting a large dose of it again.  So I did my best to not push that wonderful button they provide you with :) until I started feeling the contractions again.  After the button still didn't relieve the pressure, I called the nurse and had her check me out (this was about 45 minutes after the epidural) and she came in and checked my status to "please me" since I probably hadn't progressed much.  To her surprise, I was already at a 9 almost 10 so they had to call my Dr. over right away (she was currently at her office) and once she got there and scrubbed up 20 minutes later decided, that I could push. Moments later we had our wonderful baby boy :)

I have adjusted to life of 3 boys well enough.  I have my moments that I would like to hide in the closet and take a breather, but for the most part I LOVE it.  I can't lie, Logan's in that TERRIBLE 2's stage and is more then happy to make sure he lives up to it.  But the love those boys have for one another is so sweet and I am so blessed to have been given them and allowed to be their mother. 

I'll try to post updates on the past few months, but for now here are some pictures...

 Joey's 1st bath

 Most recent family pic

Things to do this year...

I know it's been a while since I've updated, and I plan on getting everything up of the past few months very soon.  But I wanted to post tonight about something I'm VERY excited about.  As most people know, I've yet to go through the temple.  I plan on changing that this year!  I watched the morning session of conference today and President Monson's talk about the temple really hit me.  I've put off taking out my endowments for a few reasons, but hearing these words from President Monson hit me: 

"No sacrifice is too great, no price is too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive those blessings. There are never too many miles to travel, too many obstacles to overcome, or too much discomfort to endure..." 

I'm temple worthy, yet I haven't taken out my endowments in the 5 years I've been a member. I've lived so close to a temple that I could drive there in 30 minutes from home, and had passed it many times running errands.  Yet, there are people who travel thousands of miles, for many days and spend their entire life savings just to be able to attend once.  There is no reason why I should deny myself or my family the blessings of attending the temple anymore.  I have so much work to do for my family, but that can't start until I go for myself first.

I'm excited about making the trip to Mesa this year to attend this beautiful temple. 

I LOVE General Conference. I do enjoy getting to stay home and not stress about making it to church with the 3 little ones, but mostly I love the inspiration I get from all the talks.

One of my favorite talks this morning was from President Uchtdorf. I sometimes feel like there are prayers that go unanswered, but I love knowing (& realizing) that:

"...we have our heavenly father's assurance that he will answer our prayers, the answer may come through the voice and wisdom of trusted friends and family, the scriptures and the words of prophets... some of the most powerful promptings we receive are not only for our own benefit but also for the benefit of others." 

He quotes President Kimball saying: "God does notice us, and he watches over us, but it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we server each other."

But, I think my favorite and inspiring quote from President Uchtdorf was:

"Often the answer to our prayer does not come while we are on our knees, but while we are on our feet. Serving the Lord and serving those around us."

If that isn't motivation to help and serve others, then I don't know what is.  

So I guess that makes 2 very important things I plan to do this year.

1. Attend the temple

2. Serve others

I hope everyone else enjoyed their conference weekend and were able to obtain some guidance from our church leaders, we are truly blessed to have this opportunity.