Sterlings blessing...

Sterling's special day

This past weekend Cory gave Sterling a really beautiful blessing. Cory wanted him to be blessed in the blessing outfit that he was blessed in 30 years ago. We were so glad that Judy had given it to us a few years back; that was really special for him. I decided a few weeks ago to try the outfit on him to make sure it fit and it was getting a bit snug so I took some pictures then (trying to recreate Cory's blessing picture above). I couldn't snap it all the way up so come blessing day we slipped Ethan's white blessing pants on him and he looked very handsome.

Briggs helping me take some pics. Boy is he ever loved by this family!

The whole outfit, taken with Cory's blessing blanket and socks as well

Some with Daddy

Blessing Day-before church

Oh, what a handsome little boy! He's growing up so much!

Cousin James with Briggs and Uncle Gabe

My nephew Baer (James' brother, Spencer's son)

Brooklyn enjoying pancakes before church

My brother Spencer. My sister Crystal cooking these yummy pancakes (even my dad and husband, the Bisquick fans of the family, went back for seconds and thirds), they're good!

Brooklyn with Grandpa Jones

Ashlyn and Ethan loving on Sterling! So sweet! I love how Ethan would kiss his hands.

Here Ethan kept going from kissing his face to his feet and back and forth; it cracked me up

So sweet

Briggs watching Uncle Spencer play his i-touch games

Following the blessing-at church

Our family that came to support us. We missed those that couldn't be here.

Me and my little buddy

First family photo

When Cory got done with giving Sterling his blessing, he was walking back to our seat and Briggs and Ethan met him in the isle to kiss Sterling on the cheek. It was so sweet.

A few minutes later Ethan came back to our isle to give Sterling lots of kisses all over his face and whispered to him, “I’m sure going to miss you buddy when I’m in Montana.” Melted my heart.

Grandpa Hansen holding Sterling

Cory's parents

My parents

It was super windy Sunday (blowing my dress straight up) and when we got into the car on the way home I looked back to see Brooklyn covering her ears. She said "it blowing my hair." So cute!

Briggs and Ethan with cousin James on the way home; being silly!

Luncheon-our home

Brooklyn waiting so patiently for lunch to start. She was so funny to watch during church. We had our family sitting in 3 of the middle pews and she circulated between everyone and even sitting with her two cute babysitters who were behind us (she sure loves those girls). She would occasionally come back and touch base with us. Sometimes she'd come back with crumbs on her face from the yogurt bites Uncle Gabe would give her or with a horse in hand from cousin Ronin. Ether way sacrament was just great for this little girl, us too for that matter!

Judy prepared a WONDERFUL meal of prime rib, baked potatoes, rolls, home-grown corn, and pretzel jello (my favorite). We were so grateful for her! It was nice to be able to visit with family and not to have to worry about lunch. I contributed desert (which I love to make) of key lime pie and homemade oreo cookies.

Great Grandma Hansen with Sterling.

When Brooklyn saw Great Grandpa and Grandma Hansen at church, sitting at the end of our bench, her eyes lit up and she said, “Oooohh, there they are!” and she went over and gave Great Grandma a BIG hug; I think she was a bit surprised and it was cute.

Cory's sister Mindy with her daughter Aubrey. I sure loved all the hugs I got from my niece!

My sister with my Dad

Spencer just chillin'

Cory cutting the yummy prime rib that Judy prepared! So good!

The kiddos!

My nephew Baer had us all cracking up when he started climbing up onto the chair next to my sister Crystal. He wasn't looking at her and she said to him, "oh, no, Aunt Crystal isn't sharing her food with you." He still wasn't looking at her. Then with a BIG grin on his face he scoots over onto her lap and starts giggling. He knew just what he was doing! It was so funny! What a special little boy sent to bless our lives with light and joy.

The day was a special one. We were so glad for all those who made the effort to come and for the good feelings, good conversation, and good food we were able to enjoy. We feel truly blessed. Following the luncheon my parents and my brother and his kids headed off to montana with our three kids for the week.

**some pictures contributed by my Dad

Hansen hospital day....

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Potato head collectively

So this morning I had a minor surgery planned and needed to be at the hospital at 6:45 a.m. Unfortunately around 3 am Cory woke me up and he was in a lot of pain which commenced in him getting really sick and throwing up for several hours etc. etc.... so we left a little earlier and Cory was admitted into the Emergency room. We usually plan one emergency room visit for him each year; at least that's been the trend for the past 3 1/2 years with him. So while he was downstairs getting treated I was upstairs having surgery. I guess it was a family affair today; we're quite the pair. We are so grateful for Judy for taking our sweet Sterling while I was under. We couldn't have done it without her.

Also we are so grateful that my parents were so willing to take our older 3 children to Montana with them yesterday so I can rest and recover. We have been blessed with such an amazing family. Our house is so quiet with the kids gone and I don't like it. It is nice for a few hours but after that I was definitely missing them and kissing those soft cheeks and hearing the funny things they say and do (like the picture below); but we are really appreciative that we don't need to stress over them for a few days.

"Look mommy" (and pointing to the girl) said "it's you... and daddy!" Boy we are a handsome pair! She made several versions of us this weekend with her cousin Ashlyn.

I don't know what it is but they always sound so little when I talk to them on the phone and it makes me miss them all the more. I had to laugh because when we talked to them tonight they each asked, first thing, "how Daddy was feeling?" Ummmm... I think they forgot that I was the one who had surgery (and I didn't remind them). Silly kids. My Mom said they had just told them that Cory went to the hospital too because he was sick; I think it was the freshest thing on their little minds. But my sweet Mom and Dad said that they were thinking of me... appreciate that ;-)!!

The kids are having a good time and when I talked to my Mom tonight she said she better run because she was getting dinner on the table and that it's been a crazy day. I laughed as I told her she sounds like me whenever she calls me around dinner! I think she'll need some serious R &R after all of this. She definitely deserves it! And... one of my favorite things Brooklyn said when she got on the phone was "HI mommy, I miss you again." Can't wait to see them this weekend!

Prayers for Graham....

Today one brother will burry his son and unfortunately bad news has come again. Last night another brother, Cory's best friend Nathan, and his wife, found out that their 4-month old little boy has leukemia. He will start chemotherapy this Tuesday as well as a bone marrow transplant. Please pray for Graham and his parents as they endure this 6 month to 2 year treatment with their little one at Primary Children's Hospital. Our hearts are broken for them and we are praying for a miracle on their behalf.

One of my favorite quotes....

I've always loved this quote and I have it practically memorized. It reminds me to live up to the best within me when sometimes I don't know how, I don't feel like it, or if I'm just plain afraid to try something new. And... believe me... I have to read it often because I forget easily. But I just love it...

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Used by Nelson Mandela in his 1994 inaugural speech, quoted from Marianne Williamson

Mom visit....

This past week and a half we've been so lucky to have my mom here, and we still get her for a few more days. She has been having LOTS of fun telling the boys bedtime stories (requested, by them, to be made up out of her head ;-) and there have been some interesting stories that I am sure the boys will not forget any time soon. They especially love the ones about her childhood. We've also played lots of games (Ticket to Ride, Rummikub, Settlers and Dizzios) and put together a few puzzles....

....here in lies the puzzle from hell. I cannot believe it was a disney puzzle (500 mini pieces of watercolor craziness). Way to go Mom for finishing it! I think I contributed a total of 25 pieces and the rest was all her!

We've also done some shopping, working out, cleaning, visited the Cocoa Bean for some gourmet cupcakes (the new craze here). We've had some great conversations and eaten some yummy food, not to mention that Cory and I have been able to steel away a few times for the cannery, and a little trip to Jackson and tomorrow we get to go to the temple; it's been nice.

Last weekend my sister and her family came to stay with us and hang out. After some time they wondered where Ashlyn was. Crystal walked into the bathroom to this.....

....she quickly snapped a picture of her before she took her out. I on the other hand think I'll keep Ashlyn to clean my sinks and mirrors; I bet she'd do a great job! Too cute! I have one of Briggs doing the same thing when he was 2, when we lived in Kansas City. I love the imagination and simple pleasures!

Also, this past weekend Sterling started smiling a lot! He is such a sweet heart! I am usually too busy cooing at him that I don't have any pictures yet, but it sure is cute! He also LOVES the bath and is still completely adored by his brothers and sister! We are blessing him this weekend so we look forward to seeing lots of family and friends. Lets just hope his blessing outfit (the one that Cory was blessed in as a baby) will still fit him, he is growing so fast and it was pretty snug this past weekend when I tried it on him.

One of his first "bath-tub" baths

Until next time....

I'm back. Here are some pictures that I got of him this afternoon of him smiling....

straight faced

little grin, love those bright eyes!

Full smile. Love it!

Brooklyn is trying to take a picture of him smiling.

Can you see how the camera is actually facing her. So funny!