tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10482169954504994462024-03-05T16:01:30.401-08:00It's a Willmott World!We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-26544716565458341262011-05-25T20:31:00.000-07:002011-05-25T20:52:51.426-07:00Welcome to our liiiiife...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have undergone some MAJOR changes in the last few months... First and foremost on our list are our new jobs. If we had business cards, they would read: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike Willmott</span>,<em> Financial Analyst</em>, <span style="font-size: large;">Christie Digital</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meghan Willmott</span>, <em>Domestic Engineer,</em> <span style="font-size: large;">Willmott Home </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On April 11, Mike took on his new title and new career at Christie Digital. He has been working really hard to finish his designation and support our family so it was nice to see his efforts rewarded with this new opportunity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now as for my newest (now official)/oldest (previously unofficial) profession... It's quite amazing sometimes to look back and realize the way the Lord blesses. And equally awe inspiring to realize what a fool you were for not realizing the blessings as they came. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we first had Elias, immediately I began praying for the Lord to bless us with a way for me to stay home with our children. When 'back-to-work' time came and no apparent answer to my prayers was presented, I accepted my fate and trudged back to work. But, I never stopped praying. Then Mike got his new job, and although I hadn't stopped praying, I also didn't realize the blessing the Lord had presented. Instead, I saw a potential bigger house, a vacation, a new car... etc. etc. So when I wasn't quite getting the message that was being presented, the Lord forced me to see. My hours were cut at work, we were bringing in less money, paying a nanny to care for our children, and basically staying stagnant from month to month. But this was one of those blessings so often referred to as 'in disguise'. As our 'disposable' income diminished so did my fascination with all the 'bigger/better' items I had been secretly coveting, allowing the return of my focus in the Lord's intended direction; time with my children and husband, living a simple/happy life and strengthening our family spiritually from inside the home. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One day Mike sat me down crunched out all the scenarios for me to actually <span style="font-size: x-large;">see</span> (I am SO a visual learner) and it was crystal clear in that moment what the right choice for our family was. That's when my foolishness hit me. I had been praying for something, honestly desiring it, but totally not even paying attention to whether or not it was happening. The Lord was answering my prayers, well not only answering, but when I wasn't listening He was breaking it down, forcing our attention, and pretty much making it impossible for me not to FOCUS on the answers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So we decided then and there that given a few stipulations, I would turn in my two-weeks notice to Toyota (which was kind of the most fun I've ever had... another one of those 'disguised' blessings) and commence my career as a STAY-AT-HOME mama!!!! I actually might make a business card... I think they'd be useful?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, now that I have officially introduced myself, as Meghan Willmott, Domestic Engineer BSc (that's not true) I'll fill you in on the other changes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BUSINESS: I am starting a small at-home childcare business. I have one small boy I get to start caring for on Monday. He's such a sweetie and he's the exact same age as Noah. They are so cute together. I am so excited to get to include him in our little family from Mon-Friday! Super fun!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BASEMENT: Due to the choice we made to start caring for little ones, we decided that we should finish the basement to give ourselves a little more of a designated area to stick the kids... haha joking, it is meant to provide an area for us ALL to play in. So this is really exciting for us. Our first MAJOR renovation in our little house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love our house, and I realize that I haven't ever posted any pictures of where we chill OUT... So I'm going to take you on a little tour. That's right, VIRTUAL tour. How excited are you?!?! K, let's calm down, and get moving...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Welcome to our home:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2Xx_tgzySBwPGbQO-7W4nEH_MsjsZHkxYVsE8ML7fbrUC3JfB7hwKSSw9NLfqLi2-4rUzX9v1355O3P2WZM3N68G5ZUT1dKAxIS_z1hUUWdtMyjURM1zpvB3t-pzfip72eH5tF3OKQ/s1600/472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk2Xx_tgzySBwPGbQO-7W4nEH_MsjsZHkxYVsE8ML7fbrUC3JfB7hwKSSw9NLfqLi2-4rUzX9v1355O3P2WZM3N68G5ZUT1dKAxIS_z1hUUWdtMyjURM1zpvB3t-pzfip72eH5tF3OKQ/s320/472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, you can park beside my van, Mike won't be home until 630ish...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqlyqCNtEb35L6WeuWIQMknmwwFxmExqr83UwuSnV5gw-Dxuzrwjsm6Bh9dbJy1xAgIbOkXaT8-Qfx7xjtdA4UsVSY-pP0m074m2kDbo-JmWp5Y8r10wL2iUHvPgg_QxXOPHLy5HH3w/s1600/471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqlyqCNtEb35L6WeuWIQMknmwwFxmExqr83UwuSnV5gw-Dxuzrwjsm6Bh9dbJy1xAgIbOkXaT8-Qfx7xjtdA4UsVSY-pP0m074m2kDbo-JmWp5Y8r10wL2iUHvPgg_QxXOPHLy5HH3w/s320/471.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But first, please take a look at the garden I dug out, and the plants we split from my mom's garden. Oh, and that row of cedars, yah we planted those too. I know, I know, Home & Garden network has nothing on us...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86cB7mfM0gQ4wda1FA1a3tApKNMYfBYV9NPttZLwPZJRsqaf2hsAumpudV4gn2Km9bfY0bwVJoQGcCBQO77QxX3bmBuvpT8qr8qqbYU-oJXqLwl-RQUGLSpDCyVKBR28zEC4CbUH0XA/s1600/470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86cB7mfM0gQ4wda1FA1a3tApKNMYfBYV9NPttZLwPZJRsqaf2hsAumpudV4gn2Km9bfY0bwVJoQGcCBQO77QxX3bmBuvpT8qr8qqbYU-oJXqLwl-RQUGLSpDCyVKBR28zEC4CbUH0XA/s320/470.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's get inside, it's starting to rain... watch your step, the porch gets slippy. But it's a really nice place to hang out and read in the morning! (we did NOT pick the porch colour) Unfortunately our neighbours did, which would have been nice to know BEFORE I told him how ugly I thought it was. Neighbour of the year award. Don't worry, I made them brownies... we're cool.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkojsFhEUQ_zqEu70kjfrPKrSs6N4A0HyhU5ig21ZEEOHcSycWiuMViOB4RwahKiNF86xNmFnGpFDyMNJGkfS6XFUhcv2ruz-cgmLOwrpxk2Ako07RpnMgB08xZ85vBJpD4T9lmnBlzg/s1600/469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkojsFhEUQ_zqEu70kjfrPKrSs6N4A0HyhU5ig21ZEEOHcSycWiuMViOB4RwahKiNF86xNmFnGpFDyMNJGkfS6XFUhcv2ruz-cgmLOwrpxk2Ako07RpnMgB08xZ85vBJpD4T9lmnBlzg/s320/469.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Get inside quick!!! It's getting kinda foggy out here!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yJmnakqwJVoQ4yDKu6X8KkszTQxdoRt-94KP___BpRD86eQDid6PgjJg7QYlrAV2xw8MEpvaUE6i31LnO37cGN0CDdzTo4jtayJasGrAJKkwFTQPwlfDvo2kTCs9GnW0asoUQhS0lg/s1600/459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9yJmnakqwJVoQ4yDKu6X8KkszTQxdoRt-94KP___BpRD86eQDid6PgjJg7QYlrAV2xw8MEpvaUE6i31LnO37cGN0CDdzTo4jtayJasGrAJKkwFTQPwlfDvo2kTCs9GnW0asoUQhS0lg/s320/459.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ah, we're in the front door. Please take your shoes off on the mat... That's kinda rude to say to a guest I guess. K, take them off wherever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7j6_R1eG7S8cyzfzJO_UggFxNtBnxxr9ZCJJc6N3lMXcnrL9pvO-ee0JJQIkrN0k06mgS0EOJHeNkPZ0At3S7mF2v-7LniwtkSbDF9dV6HggJsr4ZttGEYfzRiKOR8wcIyZGZ8TgJw/s1600/450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf7j6_R1eG7S8cyzfzJO_UggFxNtBnxxr9ZCJJc6N3lMXcnrL9pvO-ee0JJQIkrN0k06mgS0EOJHeNkPZ0At3S7mF2v-7LniwtkSbDF9dV6HggJsr4ZttGEYfzRiKOR8wcIyZGZ8TgJw/s320/450.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Welcome to where we live. The kids made the artwork above the couch on the left <3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHvy4Kg8XrelURUulQQerr0WZjfXEqqUTu9V6SVtaBlZJ_3Q5c9F-Y2WyA46EAfZ_e_bD8L30BAOe6VBPFlTXHEU32Gm6M5x-yrjgYRW8JztWtXEFuz9pCBoJgqEW4gZ06vk-myatYQ/s1600/458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHvy4Kg8XrelURUulQQerr0WZjfXEqqUTu9V6SVtaBlZJ_3Q5c9F-Y2WyA46EAfZ_e_bD8L30BAOe6VBPFlTXHEU32Gm6M5x-yrjgYRW8JztWtXEFuz9pCBoJgqEW4gZ06vk-myatYQ/s320/458.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And please say hello to Mike's TV. He would be offended if you didn't.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcgw1Q_0LFkn7L012sbQmBAUp4bU77B8s9xDlZNaRKvRzlMqexnQxFAD65Uc_8Nv0XfmtVcGc6tRSbTZLaiO-UFVoiIy38sdAoHxkTjjtHZQHjpeiWeKCI73OvaS5Ubr6iFFFTFYQ-w/s1600/453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcgw1Q_0LFkn7L012sbQmBAUp4bU77B8s9xDlZNaRKvRzlMqexnQxFAD65Uc_8Nv0XfmtVcGc6tRSbTZLaiO-UFVoiIy38sdAoHxkTjjtHZQHjpeiWeKCI73OvaS5Ubr6iFFFTFYQ-w/s320/453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'd offer you something to eat, but I just spent all day serving three children... get it yourself. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrkocjQt5sRQd0M_oepmCw4SpJmbwJWCn2PyuU0uWtq13mJD0ucLlpueHbrAH-KvgWGQUBraiLXRCM9an0YoZ9ZfMXGipa8mecYCtV4oxMea1Bb24-3YleqWI707l6QVKydsY4CZSzQ/s1600/477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrkocjQt5sRQd0M_oepmCw4SpJmbwJWCn2PyuU0uWtq13mJD0ucLlpueHbrAH-KvgWGQUBraiLXRCM9an0YoZ9ZfMXGipa8mecYCtV4oxMea1Bb24-3YleqWI707l6QVKydsY4CZSzQ/s320/477.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Let's take a look upstairs...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd7q7v_fdMe2IW2k50PIzOStWoH_aUTLNQoHIVUFI9YVbZIOaG8LD0llLiJTfo5QMp2bBadUNY0tmNc07tZPqi3x48414dQiIJ3KlrGgTtjIC5VluqHPNASfvsU1xXmWtxc8AoS1a7g/s1600/452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd7q7v_fdMe2IW2k50PIzOStWoH_aUTLNQoHIVUFI9YVbZIOaG8LD0llLiJTfo5QMp2bBadUNY0tmNc07tZPqi3x48414dQiIJ3KlrGgTtjIC5VluqHPNASfvsU1xXmWtxc8AoS1a7g/s320/452.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Noah's room. JAM packed with the majority of the toys that belong in the basement. Sometimes a challenge getting him to sleep. (again, did NOT choose the border, OR lower sponge painted wall art) BUT that's another project.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-Un-JoqiIljbPdYzdhTp6VR6djwPam-ILs7lOg1xxU8IOcTxeacRPYvbqvqorEcSEYIjCPI5eef46fCTjOBQrC7iPM9QO61TMc8ybHtydhsDRBUyzdA_qCXXknM9DnpFhp9baYKw8w/s1600/451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-Un-JoqiIljbPdYzdhTp6VR6djwPam-ILs7lOg1xxU8IOcTxeacRPYvbqvqorEcSEYIjCPI5eef46fCTjOBQrC7iPM9QO61TMc8ybHtydhsDRBUyzdA_qCXXknM9DnpFhp9baYKw8w/s320/451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Our room... I will post more when I get around to decorating (checklist is a little looooong).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtVgDD7R9AGYk1AFvOfaoPecSmsvI49TnEk_Mam_Hqw_YIXxrqnbTmDa-H7dPZ6lWsuaqtLevPio9JLBXxwgpNSkZ_hY5W3JbHjmglkw0S-z8r7jl_ZqU7donvvPb3forl0b1V3WOjQ/s1600/478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtVgDD7R9AGYk1AFvOfaoPecSmsvI49TnEk_Mam_Hqw_YIXxrqnbTmDa-H7dPZ6lWsuaqtLevPio9JLBXxwgpNSkZ_hY5W3JbHjmglkw0S-z8r7jl_ZqU7donvvPb3forl0b1V3WOjQ/s320/478.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh the bathroom... Forest green WAS the <em>theme </em>of the WHOLE house, garage door, counter tops, back splash, curtains, external doors, bathroom tiles... I never knew forest green was a colour option that a person could absolutely fall in love with. Now I do... and so do you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk-lu9Ta9vJGulmrGgFs9-6RsXr71Rz16ayMr_MzdDerA_VxbpL_BkuDMEAxGOFJEosgfYRthfKBV3x_dkFGMoKOBz_5tCnP2VNuVH7emi0o61J1qMoUaCvE02XXhOGL8rITH_tZWYQ/s1600/454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSk-lu9Ta9vJGulmrGgFs9-6RsXr71Rz16ayMr_MzdDerA_VxbpL_BkuDMEAxGOFJEosgfYRthfKBV3x_dkFGMoKOBz_5tCnP2VNuVH7emi0o61J1qMoUaCvE02XXhOGL8rITH_tZWYQ/s320/454.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So let's head downstairs now, past our ultrasound art <3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1Qk7UYL_pBwDyWJvC0T-XJy3JIoTuDlNr7Kdx5SUQthkRgqeNlrkv4qAEw-1twCZIQdwe5JTUM8DBkYf2-RG15IuHbQ7h4A8jKqDmWGFmSPZ8ciZ6XpZW2EoqPQbc1UJt-ZAaHW_Wg/s1600/468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc1Qk7UYL_pBwDyWJvC0T-XJy3JIoTuDlNr7Kdx5SUQthkRgqeNlrkv4qAEw-1twCZIQdwe5JTUM8DBkYf2-RG15IuHbQ7h4A8jKqDmWGFmSPZ8ciZ6XpZW2EoqPQbc1UJt-ZAaHW_Wg/s320/468.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Elias' room... Shhh he's sleeping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOOMPdQaQqHXp3p1kqHnutUgMeW9nOEdcmYMPqrjxNjspu9v2921CgDnOrgZ-vtvL7489bS1IqmAsN01MtACyiAOyJZkpI125aX_sjE74wKBD9y-U4lIwuo5GUCE2g0Dx_NnKCGs_wg/s1600/467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOOMPdQaQqHXp3p1kqHnutUgMeW9nOEdcmYMPqrjxNjspu9v2921CgDnOrgZ-vtvL7489bS1IqmAsN01MtACyiAOyJZkpI125aX_sjE74wKBD9y-U4lIwuo5GUCE2g0Dx_NnKCGs_wg/s320/467.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His swag...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnFPDEaM1wBS3RuzZkjnbaa0Mz_TSvgDBfqWWQBgRO_urqiuO4HF4Y6dHKfNWRl9XTC3NJfhMcXrNayOC1BkbOj0sNGWl6QZI1BnW3H8zvB0G5gAcCQgMO6DZZmF9cfxQtzyToofmJw/s1600/466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnFPDEaM1wBS3RuzZkjnbaa0Mz_TSvgDBfqWWQBgRO_urqiuO4HF4Y6dHKfNWRl9XTC3NJfhMcXrNayOC1BkbOj0sNGWl6QZI1BnW3H8zvB0G5gAcCQgMO6DZZmF9cfxQtzyToofmJw/s320/466.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I turned on the lights and took pictures while he was sleeping in the crib... poor baby. But STILL sleeping!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmG1UpSOgc52KKSUnUA0CQPnpxUN75uRZPAXUu0KTn_S0d0io_8HnGjq7HybH9Ua9TyoPyVItyMNJOZwAvbp8KZqrMQeJdVE6hVI6rC-ZJ48B_uuIim5ejABTmsgXxq8xBRE0ofOR_7g/s1600/465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmG1UpSOgc52KKSUnUA0CQPnpxUN75uRZPAXUu0KTn_S0d0io_8HnGjq7HybH9Ua9TyoPyVItyMNJOZwAvbp8KZqrMQeJdVE6hVI6rC-ZJ48B_uuIim5ejABTmsgXxq8xBRE0ofOR_7g/s320/465.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heading down the hall...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CmW3bvaK9kR5phMFqUg4BBRXRDBvyYYd9O6e__8cBBbE1VdIef2ecqLgGcnHcA73FbylCPTC0npkG0ToWD4FK4HtreVDOC7BB9iXWCagFagcgPt4IjroL9bOw9D_TZ7SQg9uqJMF2A/s1600/463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-CmW3bvaK9kR5phMFqUg4BBRXRDBvyYYd9O6e__8cBBbE1VdIef2ecqLgGcnHcA73FbylCPTC0npkG0ToWD4FK4HtreVDOC7BB9iXWCagFagcgPt4IjroL9bOw9D_TZ7SQg9uqJMF2A/s320/463.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To Abigail's Spongebob room!! She's so cute. We gave her the choice of bedding and that's what she chose. Love that girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66Ma4WcEiDZsd76AiZjJUj9XomI4VdHMiQ5gQrEFD85UnF_XdjYqCgCkaon2f39h5TKgg7APh0SrkiHbyYQdHrozbWhcvODN59RrubXzWkkMgZWhvkKsW4hqDA_nhxMn-U7D7lb6VIQ/s1600/464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66Ma4WcEiDZsd76AiZjJUj9XomI4VdHMiQ5gQrEFD85UnF_XdjYqCgCkaon2f39h5TKgg7APh0SrkiHbyYQdHrozbWhcvODN59RrubXzWkkMgZWhvkKsW4hqDA_nhxMn-U7D7lb6VIQ/s320/464.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the bathroom... of the forest green nature.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwgJgbqml_d89k09qGEdMG-zvG9V5M1QVuUh3G-6MFjVOhfD0kiDDMTSXuRb_k8J4mzGfx0bC1110V2iYirfap4MWhAErhxT-IxegoTv2_RLoPfYmSI0EoaflA_snQW61-rIa1c4S-Q/s1600/347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFwgJgbqml_d89k09qGEdMG-zvG9V5M1QVuUh3G-6MFjVOhfD0kiDDMTSXuRb_k8J4mzGfx0bC1110V2iYirfap4MWhAErhxT-IxegoTv2_RLoPfYmSI0EoaflA_snQW61-rIa1c4S-Q/s320/347.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Basement before...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JR2Urejztr8TXX11CNZqNbK4cPo0nVt-Th04ZLBNZtS5XGz1HLchFg4ichul0cmzMbE4f7Dh2Htad01oBp0FVqGBovoLnW_rFRmbIySPqGb_K5JImf0_q-qnsyngrQSa7solS3iVyA/s1600/350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JR2Urejztr8TXX11CNZqNbK4cPo0nVt-Th04ZLBNZtS5XGz1HLchFg4ichul0cmzMbE4f7Dh2Htad01oBp0FVqGBovoLnW_rFRmbIySPqGb_K5JImf0_q-qnsyngrQSa7solS3iVyA/s320/350.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjYFASV1U7Xy2GRUEPhF3fCzatNdAONwG6PIhcFucUiTIGG-UN6NoQDjwpL2iKdGAFci4sH1FF8HCM0fE3eRaKUMVRvpfucWT3L2u4D89DJ1GgLGJZRB7LzBueaKgqKjP9F8SWC1HJA/s1600/449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjjYFASV1U7Xy2GRUEPhF3fCzatNdAONwG6PIhcFucUiTIGG-UN6NoQDjwpL2iKdGAFci4sH1FF8HCM0fE3eRaKUMVRvpfucWT3L2u4D89DJ1GgLGJZRB7LzBueaKgqKjP9F8SWC1HJA/s320/449.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Basement now, in-progress</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLCuSnn5THiRC5vWeIWaCZK5O-_4-rRpzwot3XO3Kmd9oR1Tm6htTjAJBToCQTxZP1_kVoS-xz5G4nwftQPGMzvYAzG1IC35jVLwBIBBzrBrD1vWsMg5K760BG_8s2AFfXl7lnPrbIg/s1600/448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLCuSnn5THiRC5vWeIWaCZK5O-_4-rRpzwot3XO3Kmd9oR1Tm6htTjAJBToCQTxZP1_kVoS-xz5G4nwftQPGMzvYAzG1IC35jVLwBIBBzrBrD1vWsMg5K760BG_8s2AFfXl7lnPrbIg/s320/448.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYw3A66s-sZnzVV-2k7FHJw8Tsqylrcz8sl3tifWDWDUKgTS9ir4qQ6KbGtXEU_8qs5Le3zpKiPoht5rnQPc1fmRfv4T_cdBKDptNc0Z_Hrr22EflewDddDnoVsLrKo6Mc1SNwcW8Jw/s1600/455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYw3A66s-sZnzVV-2k7FHJw8Tsqylrcz8sl3tifWDWDUKgTS9ir4qQ6KbGtXEU_8qs5Le3zpKiPoht5rnQPc1fmRfv4T_cdBKDptNc0Z_Hrr22EflewDddDnoVsLrKo6Mc1SNwcW8Jw/s320/455.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back upstairs, let's head outside... It stopped raining. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlQpSVFpMBCy2UI3c1FY6gP2q7-JwHNSytg28Df5hTaucuH5snGwmckdZiQ0bzJDSzpK5YqZTBzOHpoIj79VTIQBAhXZvw6-sBAwNUHfkwmqzTOVJUXGMRw3J8ovQcQW00S_cML-G3A/s1600/456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzlQpSVFpMBCy2UI3c1FY6gP2q7-JwHNSytg28Df5hTaucuH5snGwmckdZiQ0bzJDSzpK5YqZTBzOHpoIj79VTIQBAhXZvw6-sBAwNUHfkwmqzTOVJUXGMRw3J8ovQcQW00S_cML-G3A/s320/456.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is our yard from the back door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeD_5hhcruzuNSt8Ij7HDhetkINe_2L-ZTXcXHRH7kO2j8SWBqK96NThuWs31yFICDMzNDH-1mznKM7uM_OHDu-MVflenJsePoVk0AUST1BqYG4waZckEDQLN0U1XIR3sfs-8Jxe3mg/s1600/473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeD_5hhcruzuNSt8Ij7HDhetkINe_2L-ZTXcXHRH7kO2j8SWBqK96NThuWs31yFICDMzNDH-1mznKM7uM_OHDu-MVflenJsePoVk0AUST1BqYG4waZckEDQLN0U1XIR3sfs-8Jxe3mg/s320/473.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And around the back of the house.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHPeZ5CWT6d2ALrgQ9iMVgEroOzliV7hspwSBkCAT3oqdWtdOh06KKKhzU2LnVhITYz5lMfS2eESbuGlKMQo4wnluTT6GEQhOvp1Ou9QUl65UIwKb5ikn9FjMeJpxNwDLuCwdczkQVQ/s1600/476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHPeZ5CWT6d2ALrgQ9iMVgEroOzliV7hspwSBkCAT3oqdWtdOh06KKKhzU2LnVhITYz5lMfS2eESbuGlKMQo4wnluTT6GEQhOvp1Ou9QUl65UIwKb5ikn9FjMeJpxNwDLuCwdczkQVQ/s320/476.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And down the side. This area used to be gravel when we moved in. You can see a line in the grass, that's where the gravel used to come up to. It was getting kinda dangerous when playtime in the backyard turned into you know, a good old fashioned rock fight. So we had people come and haul it away (put a free gravel ad on kijiji) and then we had a dump truck back into the yard (the front fence is actually two swinging gates so it opens right up) and dump a mountain of topsoil in the yard. That was a fun time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCUDDuqj-RWWnevYV9oiDLnOp2uElJleiFub-S5iqS6dWcsLJ44hGxTpMTzKGxFefjAWnmDjU0XrPVToQUP6jduSnQA0p-VthJQQptEGz-2CggjUy3Fu_v0jt4Mhg_2wBbVEnflKJAw/s1600/474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCUDDuqj-RWWnevYV9oiDLnOp2uElJleiFub-S5iqS6dWcsLJ44hGxTpMTzKGxFefjAWnmDjU0XrPVToQUP6jduSnQA0p-VthJQQptEGz-2CggjUy3Fu_v0jt4Mhg_2wBbVEnflKJAw/s320/474.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My little backyard garden I dug out last year. (Raspberry bushes!!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK4gGUsH-wPc8_dAKZBZscp-25RskdVU-C7265SdVIrHgqw36LebTuzd_tSslGbiUnKjp5508qZmWo_K1dwx1RohsnsTAz-vytoFktw5gZp7RDs81cH_TtJ-Q2aFAdbOuIHAsXZb-Hg/s1600/475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYK4gGUsH-wPc8_dAKZBZscp-25RskdVU-C7265SdVIrHgqw36LebTuzd_tSslGbiUnKjp5508qZmWo_K1dwx1RohsnsTAz-vytoFktw5gZp7RDs81cH_TtJ-Q2aFAdbOuIHAsXZb-Hg/s320/475.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My other garden I dug out with nothing in it. Ha!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that's it! That's our little castle! I love this house. It has so much love in it and provides us with everything we need. We have been blessed so IMMENSELY and although it may have taken a while for me to fully realize our riches, we are so rich! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know that the Lord grants the righteous desires of our hearts and although it is not necessarily when and in the exact way we want, He knows what is best and will provide!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I am learning to trust Him in all that I do and to live by honest faith in His will. I am so proud to be able to spend this next leg of this journey through our Willmott World, raising my family and lending support to my husband. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I hope sincerely that you all have a fantastic summer... I know I will ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-28318193329526234912011-04-26T19:18:00.000-07:002011-04-26T19:18:29.571-07:00Blink and it's gone...Life is flying by. The good thing however, is that I have been blogging a lot! The bad thing though, is that it's usually only in my head. I have written so many posts in my mind lately, with full intentions of actually writing it down but I seem to never quite make it to that last step. Well world, this time I have. HA! That's right, Meghan 1- World 0... or you know, World 12,304 if you count all those other times.<br />
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I had a <em>moment</em> the other day when I was driving into work. This is what happened: I was driving down the longest leg of my back-road journey to work, rockin' the mini-van, blasting some Katy Perry, or maybe Pink (don't remember) and I was thinking about my family. I was thinking about how I had just spent the hour before I left the house cleaning up the toothbrush holder that holds 4 different toothbrushes, lining up 4 pairs of OTHER people's shoes in the closet, hanging up 3 different pint-sized coats on 3 different pint-sized hangers and putting away laundry in 4 different bedrooms in our house. It was right after the laundry thought that the reality of 4 extra lives hit me like a wrecking ball straight in the heart. 4 other pairs of shoes? That's a lot...when did this happen? How do I belong to 4 different people in 4 separate ways and how do these 4 so equally belong to me? I realized that for the past 7 years of my life, when I began my family, when 1 became 2, then 3, 4 and 5, I have simply felt like I've been playing house. I feel like I'm still that same girl, fresh out of high school, madly in love and ready to start playing life's real version of house. In that moment of reality, I was so emotionally affected. I could feel my heart as a separate entity with 4 different rooms that were occupied by 4 different people. And what occurred to me after this quick journey through my heart was that I am so blessed to have had my heart double in size each time a new person has entered effortlessly into our family. <br />
Spiritual health is so important to me. I know without a doubt, when I am spiritually fortified and strengthened, I am a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend... and the list goes on. To me it just makes sense. It's really easy to understand how physical health might affect my ability to be the best wife and mother I can be, so why would neglecting my spiritual health do anything but hinder my ability to successfully accomplish the many tasks these roles entail? <br />
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So I am seriously taking heed to the counsel we have received through the leaders of the LDS Church. Writing this down will only help to keep me accountable to this promise: I promise each day to make time at least once to... seek spiritual health through scripture study, read a book that lifts and edifies, listen to talks from the leaders of the Church, play one of those favourite songs we all have that touch our souls, and of course pray. <br />
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I pray all the time. I like the quiet of prayer, but I often forget to pray specifically and individually for each of my family members. And quite frankly, I find myself overwhelmed with the thought of how much time praying for each of my family member's individual needs would consume. But I am starting to realize that praying for the needs of my family is more than just kneeling and bowing my head in silence. Praying for my children comes in tightly squeezed hugs goodbye, when I leave them in the care of another and ultimately under His watchful eye. Prayers come when I'm at work and I reach mindlessly into my purse to find my hand cream and instead pull out half a package of soggy crackers and a 1/4 of a box of raisins. Prayers for my husband come effortlessly when the majority of my stories to others begin with "my husband Mike" or "The other day my husband". My family is never far from my thoughts and always held tightly in my heart and Heavenly Father hears that prayer as loud and as clear as when I find the time to kneel down. When we love something or someone with our whole heart, we are praying in the clearest of all languages. We are praying through pure love and God understands love more than we could ever imagine. I realize that this love I feel for my family may just be the tiniest glimpse into the endless responsibility, love and compassion Heavenly Father must feel for each and every one of our lives. This thought is extremely humbling to me. To think of the anxiety I feel when faced with a seemingly overwhelming responsibility to pray for 4 others individually, compared to the endless responsibility God has to each of us, is definitely an exercise in perspective. <br />
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I do not know how He does it, when He finds time to think about each of us individually, why His love is so all encompassing, where He is loving and caring for us from, but I DO know that He loves us. He loves my family and as a wife and mother, this is a comfort beyond belief. I love my Heavenly Father, I love our Saviour Jesus Christ and I love the gift and guidance of the Holy Ghost.<br />
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We were able to spend some time this Easter season with the majority of our families. We spent Good Friday and Saturday with Mike's parents, grandparents, and sisters and their spouses. We spent Sunday with my parents, grandparents and sisters, and as I enjoyed the company of these wonderful, vastly different and talented people we have been blessed to belong with, my thoughts often turned to the Saviour. How thankful I am that He laid down His life so that we might live. So that we might know the joy of family and the eternal importance behind these relationships that were hand selected with specific purpose for each of us. I really hope that each of you enjoyed Easter with loved ones or at the very least, with the fondest memories of the ones you love.<br />
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On a completely separate note, Noah attends his first 'kindergarten orientation' day tomorrow at school. It is almost two hours long and he will be meeting his teacher, seeing his classroom and participating in other 'preparatory introductions' within the school (library, gym etc.) He is so excited. He's been asking me daily if "tomorrow's the day?". The original plan was that Mike would go with him because I don't have vacation days as a contract worker at Toyota. Then two weeks ago Mike started a new job. Bigger and better things are happening for him, and I am so proud of him, but this unfortunately meant that he wouldn't be able to ask for this day off that he had already scheduled. So our next plan was that I would take half a day off. Half a day, half a pay, but it would allow me the chance to still make some money and get to be with my little man on his big day. But then Toyota announced a reduction of hours, so I am now working 4 day weeks with an additional full week off in May. All this without pay. So we decided that however tempting, it wasn't the best option for our family for me to only work 3.5 days this week. So now Grandpa Craig is going to be taking our little man to school on his big day. It breaks my heart to miss this opportunity, but at the same time I'm calmed knowing that Noah will be well taken care of by a man who loves him in such excess all the time. I will try to blog about his day once it has come and passed. He is so cute to watch as he has been starting to psyche himself up for this day. He keeps asking small nervous questions about it like "Grandpa's going to stay with me right?" and "Do I have to share my very own school supplies that I get that are my very own school supplies?". (He got an invitation that outlined his day and the 'supplies' he would receive for attending his orientation, and ever since he is very concerned with what Abigail will and will not get to use from his bag of very own school supplies). I am so nervous and excited for him, and in complete shock that our second oldest is almost ready to start school. What will tomorrow bring in the land of Noah? Stay tuned to find out!<br />
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Pictures from Easter:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEBaMtOmP0grd3qCCUgST6CMWChCazAI6eEUuITs9rI94c-n-iWlzJa714dLKssbBHON2udoOGwv3ONxxKTB7YBklzysxcqnhjXKnHn2Nyb7G8LPrCig7dBShTk5oz4Dnfkxx6utZQw/s1600/IMG_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqEBaMtOmP0grd3qCCUgST6CMWChCazAI6eEUuITs9rI94c-n-iWlzJa714dLKssbBHON2udoOGwv3ONxxKTB7YBklzysxcqnhjXKnHn2Nyb7G8LPrCig7dBShTk5oz4Dnfkxx6utZQw/s320/IMG_0635.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>With love from the WillmottsIt's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-1628089969743209752011-03-09T09:49:00.000-08:002011-03-09T10:18:38.802-08:00I guess it's time to UPDATE!We have had a crazy few weeks. Mike has been working insane amounts of overtime, I have been working scheduled daily overtime and every other Saturday and our poor kids have been visiting with Grandma and Grampa a LOT lately (actually they really don't seem to mind this part). I typically have a really hard time 'letting things go' but have been learning slowly that when life happens, children grow and both parents are working, something's gonna hafta give!!! In the past month I have been at work anywhere from 47-50 hours/week, my husband has been at work anywhere from 55-65 hours/week, and our three children seem to all at once have learned new things that require extra supervision at rapid speeds (the art of crawling, the art of reading and the art of using markers that bleed through the thickest paper and stain the kitchen table). So in lieu of not feeding/bathing our children, deep-cleaning our house every weekend, or you know, trying to squeeze in a hopeful 6 hours of sleep every night, I decided that my blogging could wait a few weeks. Despite the feeling of crazy busyness our family has experienced the past month, there are only a few real notable milestones to report: <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Milestone #1: Elias Moves Forward!</span><br />
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This was a big one. At 11.5 months, Elias Peter Willmott wiggled his little baby body in a forward movement to get to a toy. He has been sitting on his own forever. He has been rolling both ways since about 3 months. He has been pulling himself around in circles while laying on his belly for many months now, but this whole forward movement thing was something we had just kinda come to terms with him NEVER doing. But he shocked us all one beautiful day when he wiggled and army crawled his way right out of his infancy into full-blown, gating up the stairwells, locking all the cupboards, finding edges of pages of my books bitten out, pre-toddler hood!<br />
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Along with his new moves, he has also mastered the at of clapping (he can make a really satisfying sound once he gets going), he can say his version of "what's that?" which sounds like this, "hhuuhhsaaaaa?" while he points his chubby finger at the item in question, and he can play a mean game of 'peek-a-boo' either with the hands-to-face method or the blanket-over-head method (he excels at both, a very well-rounded child).<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Milestone #2: Noah Learns to Use a Zipper!</span><br />
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This is a major accomplishment in his little life. He has been trying and trying all winter to 'put the mouse in the house' (I know, it sounds... off) but he has finally gotten the hang of it and he couldn't be happier. He is so proud when he does it, it makes my heart melt! It is however, often times offset by the biggest-ever-freak-out-of-frustration that occurs before he calms down enough to be able to see the little zipper through the tears. But the freak-outs are getting fewer and farther between. He is really getting this down. I'm sure by the time he doesn't need to wear a coat anymore he will have nailed it! Now on to wiping his own bum and doing up his own pants! (Haha, you're welcome for the visual!)<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Milestone #3: Abby Learns to Read and Spell Full Sentences!</span><br />
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This is so cute. I love hearing her sound out a sentence all - SUH SUH SUH- ULL ULL ULL- OWE OWE OWE- WUH WUH WUH- LUH LUH LUH- YUH YUH YUH (Slowly). It is super adorable and really rewarding as a mom to listen to! She is also in the phase of writing, where the sentences that she writes are now decipherable to a mom or dad, but still so cute. The other day she wrote a letter to her friend Emerson and this is what it said:<br />
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To Emrsn. I Love You. I mis you when you ar at hom. When wil you be at skol. <br />
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See you can totally understand that! She is doing a superb job with her spelling and reading and will walk around with a little notepad as I clean the house saying things like "How do you spell scrub the toilet, how do you spell fold the laundry". I love her natural desire to learn, it's really amazing to watch!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Milestone #4: Elias Turn ONE YEAR OLD!!!</span><br />
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Elias turned one last Friday, March 4th! Usually we like to do a little early morning happy birthday and open presents when the kids all wake up. This year however, I had mentally prepared myself to be on the outside of this little event because I leave for work just before or right at 6am when I am on day shift. Our kids tend to naturally sleep until about 7, so I knew I would miss out on this one. But Mike surprised me and suggested that we wake them all up early and he would just deal with the chaos while he tried to get ready for work so I wouldn't miss one of my favourite little mommy pleasures (birthday morning hugs and kisses). So we woke Abby and Noah up and went down to wake the big birthday boy up! <br />
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</div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>He was so cute, all groggy and unwilling to wake up to begin with, but once we gave him some presents to help open, (the term help being used VERY liberally as Abigail and Noah did most of it) he woke right up and was back to his adorable smiley self! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KtMeq9v8m0VxaenbvOyjlUaWPInjPk4DnVMjEndKrzXXOr3qULo19FTfkaqCDjKwBXzngWKZsOO3_DqtxzsDAdwiLrptBjzGwO3ylINIx1n8LZffl7ro4e8yYHW48VgXALvsWrgZjA/s1600/Picture+018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KtMeq9v8m0VxaenbvOyjlUaWPInjPk4DnVMjEndKrzXXOr3qULo19FTfkaqCDjKwBXzngWKZsOO3_DqtxzsDAdwiLrptBjzGwO3ylINIx1n8LZffl7ro4e8yYHW48VgXALvsWrgZjA/s320/Picture+018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Noah and Abby were to cute. I took them out to pick out their gifts for Elias. Abby picked a very age appropriate toy. She really put some thought into what Elias would enjoy playing with. It was cute to see her think of him as she made her choice. Noah originally picked a spaceship that had guns to 'pewm the aliens', then we talked him into a more age appropriate toy. But just as we were about to leave, Noah spotted a 'future NBA star' plate, cup, bowl, spoon and fork set and decided that Elias would definitely "want his own fork" so he changed his mind and picked that. Too cute.<br />
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We had a fun little 15min birthday morning before mommy rushed off to work. Then after work, the kids and I met up with Mike for the 'McDonalds birthday dinner' that Abby was sure Elias should get "like they both do" LOL!<br />
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The next day we had Elias' first family birthday party. The guest list included: Mommy, Daddy, Abby, Noah, Grandma, Grandpa, Nanny, Grandpa, Aunt Sarah, Aunt Bekah, Uncle Graham, Alexis, Aunt Kirsten, Uncle Andrew, and Aunt Charlee. He was missing a few of his loved ones but still had a fabulous turn-out! I will say one thing though, it is extremely hard to judge how much food to buy when Elder Willmott isn't here. I'm sure I will get the hang of it, at just about the time he gets back from his mission. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Boy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTntWKNRvK6-Zht3e8MnczgFF6w3Rjlz51T0-egugRvIObjbKZgiKV8fnwOFPUBZwUoNBQQNdDLc7kh4w5fobZ3Zf51275GtdEKTnI72wo2xncAYEZYdR0b07bKi89vAw0jfhxR_QHPw/s1600/Picture+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTntWKNRvK6-Zht3e8MnczgFF6w3Rjlz51T0-egugRvIObjbKZgiKV8fnwOFPUBZwUoNBQQNdDLc7kh4w5fobZ3Zf51275GtdEKTnI72wo2xncAYEZYdR0b07bKi89vAw0jfhxR_QHPw/s320/Picture+042.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the big kids busy doing the work!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqBSy5UMKlKhOZBGTvr12k4ZgmSXqbF-2SiE67TCU1-cZYRPkmPZYPu6vlSPq7HQulw35l7xG8wqiKlBph6KxkSmEA1daHZvH9Sr8_jEueuNzH8HIeI36qTjNHDFQXyiuHlIt6Jo-4A/s1600/Picture+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" q6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqBSy5UMKlKhOZBGTvr12k4ZgmSXqbF-2SiE67TCU1-cZYRPkmPZYPu6vlSPq7HQulw35l7xG8wqiKlBph6KxkSmEA1daHZvH9Sr8_jEueuNzH8HIeI36qTjNHDFQXyiuHlIt6Jo-4A/s320/Picture+048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a cute birthday boy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We had a great 1st birthday with our littlest man! They are all just so freaking cute, I can hardly stand it! Thanks to all our family who made his day so special! And to the ones who couldn't be there, we missed you and love you all! Happy Birthday Elias!!!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Milestone #5: Mike Caves and Orders Bell ExpressVu so he can 'Enjoy the Tournament in HD'</span><br />
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Haha this requires no explanation. But it was a big day. BIG. Only time will tell if he can actually find some free time to watch tv now.<br />
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We've had a good month. Life has definitely changed a bit in our house but we are making it work! I have found a small blessing in being busy, and that blessing comes in the form of quality versus quantity. I am finding endless joy in my 'half hour cuddle with Noah before work' time that I didn't recognize when I had all day to cuddle. I cherish the text messages I receive from Abby that say "I. Mis. You. Mommy. I. Love. You. Love. Abby." I love to get hugs and kisses from my husband when I crawl into bed at the end of my day, as he rolls out to begin his, and I melt every time I walk down the stairs when I wake up on afternoon shift and see the rewarding smile of my one-year-old angel, so excited just to see me. Life is extremely rewarding when you have people to love and be loved by. I am so grateful for the life we have, the jobs we have, the family we share, and the joy that comes with it.<br />
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May joy and peace be with each of you at all times!<br />
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Love from the WillmottsIt's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-56096556152993034362011-02-06T18:49:00.000-08:002011-02-06T18:49:00.865-08:00Why We Are Who We Are<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Since I started this blog, I have been focusing my writing on what has been our biggest adventure to date: Raising our family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But really, it has just been in recent years that when I say ‘my family’ my thoughts jump immediately to Mike, Abigail, Noah and Elias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that is because I have forever been part of, instead of ‘co-founder’ of a stable, loving and well-balanced family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is of course, until the day I married Mike and we became a family of our own.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">Both Mike and I grew up with a strong emphasis on family and have been blessed with parents who make it all work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are well aware that nothing is perfect, but perfect was never what our families pretended to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so proud of every single one of our family members and since I often take the time to make known how proud I am of my own children and my husband, I would like to write a few words to share my feelings about all of the other ones who we love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, let’s be honest, they likely make up roughly 93% of my ‘followers’ so hey, target your readers right? <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lol.</span></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">So here it is, our family and what they mean to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are so blessed to have so many people to love.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The Craig side</span></u></i>:</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a mother and a father who have been an example of consistency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As they approach their 29<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary this April, they have shown always a consistency of love, trust and faith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are wonderful parents and exceptional grandparents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so proud to tell people the story of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that I have seen your relationship change over the years because it has helped me realize that I should never stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never stop trying to be more than I was capable of yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so grateful for your powerful example and I love you both.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a sister who has been around the world and finally came back with her Masters of Scientific-earth loving-planet saving-energy and renewable resources-something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s pretty freaking amazing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been able to experience the other side of life through your letters and photographs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your spirit is incredible and I know that I have been blessed with a sister like you so that the part of me that always wonders at that other side of life will on some level understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you for the way we used to be together, the way we are now, and the eternal friends we are destined to become.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a sister who has a degree, has made a career for herself and has formed a beautiful relationship with a wonderful man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love watching life through your eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have flair that isn’t often seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exciting is the word that comes to mind when people ask specifically what each of my sisters are like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You help me realize the truth behind the term ‘special sister bond’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were by far one of my worst enemies in high school, but are bar none one of my closest friends today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you both and I am so proud to be your sistah-frand.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a sister who is so fashionably inclined, effortlessly beautiful and a supremely gentle soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are the emotion to this family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may laugh and take this as a joke, but I think it is beautiful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love that you carry your emotions on your sleeve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This quality will allow for true relationships to be formed in your lifetime and that is something not everyone will experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You don’t have a hard time expressing your feelings and this is wonderful because it means that those you love will always know how much you really love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you so much and am so proud of you in so many ways.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pMxzgE5ZQ9URLh3KeaiMl625kqMoQA281gQ1fVSC8UstMEe3XYvcqSrqc9VpIeg0TYZSsN_vzdAk1ZSrOWRshYKCTkL8784q19NlrAMo6Oj54mrzJtva874gUwBpEzeB5zm789UcDw/s1600/cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pMxzgE5ZQ9URLh3KeaiMl625kqMoQA281gQ1fVSC8UstMEe3XYvcqSrqc9VpIeg0TYZSsN_vzdAk1ZSrOWRshYKCTkL8784q19NlrAMo6Oj54mrzJtva874gUwBpEzeB5zm789UcDw/s320/cc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyrstiumi1vW1T6STW4rFRASHpEzWd1rhlk4BUIaTFk56uDHAj6CMIZLfaz2vzXpy0UtJQMIF9SVtV8asoGCQyddNoaZO8m8lzbmqU7Ml0_IPSzN_JLHKLhHrD0l90nMWmDtPC0o8ZQ/s1600/hjk.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKyrstiumi1vW1T6STW4rFRASHpEzWd1rhlk4BUIaTFk56uDHAj6CMIZLfaz2vzXpy0UtJQMIF9SVtV8asoGCQyddNoaZO8m8lzbmqU7Ml0_IPSzN_JLHKLhHrD0l90nMWmDtPC0o8ZQ/s320/hjk.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because we don't have a recent family photo where Elias has been born!</td></tr>
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</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The Willmott side:</span></u></i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a mother and father who have been a light of faith and testimony to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would never have believed that I would sit here this day and believe with such undoubting surety of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is though your prayerful diligence that we found this safe place in which to raise our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My soul is eternally grateful for this gift of light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are an example to me of living through an uncertain life with absolute certainty of purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your example is powerful and uplifting and I am so thankful for you both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you both and admire the life you have built together.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a sister who has recently married a great man, has a beautiful step-daughter and is pregnant now with her first child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so proud of the life you and your husband are building for your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love to watch your excitement grow as you approach any event, big or small, in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is fun because you are in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly believe that we are placed alongside certain people in our life who will serve specific purposes to our own story and I believe that we are here together to be friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you and your family and am anxious to watch and learn what the future has in store for you.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a brother who is serving a fulltime mission all the way on the other side of the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have watched you change in the most ways I’ve ever witnessed a person change.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet your changes have always seemed so natural and logical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe this to be because you are such an honest and true person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never met someone so capable of befriending a whole room of strangers in such a short period of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are contagious, unforgettable and remarkable all at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so proud of you and the choices you have made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have saved my family through your example and willingness to rise above and for that I am so grateful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you and look forward to being together as a family again.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a sister who is working hard to finish her schooling and has recently become engaged to a really great man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so extremely proud of the choices you have made for your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are helping people in ways that you may never fully know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get excited when I think about what the future holds for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel a sense of overwhelming joy when I think about the head start you are giving your future and your future family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have always been so strong-willed and I have loved watching that characteristic translate into your choice to marry a man who has only ever been perfect for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you both and am so happy for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This world is wonderful and your choices together have just made life even a little bit more so.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We have a sister who is smart, determined, well-spoken and who is currently chasing her dream of becoming a teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never met someone who has had a life filled with so many people who love her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever since you became a part of my life, I have always marveled at how easily you attract not only friendship, but long-lasting, substantial friendship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have an immeasurable loyalty to those you love and I have always respected enormously the care and compassion you demonstrate for both your family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have an immensely strong moral compass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stronger than any teenager/adult I have ever known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a phenomenal and extremely attractive quality. I am so proud of your ability to think outside the norm and challenge life from a higher perspective.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will bless your family and your future because you have the ability to recognize a firm foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you as the youngest of my siblings and as the amazing woman you are.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We are so lucky to get to love so many different people at such a high level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our love for each of these people is from so many different perspectives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can love from the role of a sister, brother, in-law, aunt, uncle, daughter and son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And we can love them all as aunts to our children, as uncles, as cousins, as grandmas, nannies and grandpas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What an amazing thing family is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How wonderful it is to be able to love on so many different levels.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTM1KY_8QQrEjP-ycrTzuPHAuEV9Ib6So_QgA-woViFnmOtXuAKc4gIpbtEJOEHpdm3PuWS6QPh6eDwg4IzUBtOFiutFesTdI__ad_Ms4ysH5C86wswvDumf7HXw3dZu_CAPDEsCsJw/s1600/willmott.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTM1KY_8QQrEjP-ycrTzuPHAuEV9Ib6So_QgA-woViFnmOtXuAKc4gIpbtEJOEHpdm3PuWS6QPh6eDwg4IzUBtOFiutFesTdI__ad_Ms4ysH5C86wswvDumf7HXw3dZu_CAPDEsCsJw/s320/willmott.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">We are so thankful for each of you and we love, pray for and think of you all daily!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hope you all have a great week filled with choices based on love, happiness and family.</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Life is beautifully wonderful when you’re looking in all the right places.</i></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Love from the Willmotts</div><div align="center"></div>It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-17946287923207999142011-01-23T14:08:00.000-08:002011-01-23T14:08:08.893-08:00Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho...This past week has been a crazy hectic blur. It all started last Thursday. Mike took the afternoon off of work to spend some time with the kids and I since I was expected to return back to work in February. We were sitting around the kitchen eating when the phone rang. Every time I have heard the long distance ring lately I have braced myself in anticipation that it might be Toyota calling me to tell me when my official 'return to work' date is. You see, Mike is excited for me to return to work so we can finish paying off student loan debts and me, well not so much. So as the phone rang I thought to myself 'of course, the one time Mike's actually home during the day Toyota will call so he can smile and rejoice in my misery.' And wouldn't you know it, it was Toyota. So Mike stood smiling in anticipation as I sat in complete juxtaposition of his mood crying and suffering through my phone conversation which ended in a promise to come in ready to start building cars on Monday. Needless to say I had a few minutes of sheer panic thinking of the list of tasks that needed to be accomplished before Monday, but after a well needed hour of running I was able to clear my head enough to start counting the many blessings that having a job brings to our family.<br />
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We may have had a laundry list of tasks to complete in the few short days before I returned to work, but the most important detail had been cemented months before and for that I am so thankful. We posted an ad for a nanny many months ago and easily found a woman who met each and every need our family had. I work two shifts, a day shift which runs from 7-430 and then an 'afternoon' shift (put in quotations because I feel they use the term afternoon QUITE liberally) which runs from 5:45-3:15am. So we needed someone who could be here pretty early, before Mike left for work, and stay pretty late, until Mike or I could get home, 5 days/week. The kids have really enjoyed having her here with us and have played more board games and completed more puzzles in the past week than they have in the past year. <br />
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I will however admit that the mommy in me had a really hard time letting someone else take over. I started this week on the afternoon shift. I would get to bed in the morning around 4am and usually sleep until about noon. So for approximately 4 hours each day there was a mommy and a caregiver both present in the home. I tried mostly to stay out of the picture so that the kids would have a chance to establish this new relationship in their little lives but I often found myself standing at the edge of the room listening intently as Noah teetered on the edge of completely losing it over a few issues. At one point Noah thundered into my room as I was getting ready for work to proclaim that "Lisa won't give me a snack. Can you come down and give me one?" To which I had to reply "Noah when Lisa is here it is Lisa's rules that we follow." Which was met by a forceful "But you're the MOMMYYYYY!!" followed by a little howling and a whole lot of wailing. I struggled at first with what I've decided is my "But I am the Mommy" syndrome but as the days went on and I started to see the relationship developing between my children and their new weekly primary caregiver, I decided quickly that I needed to redefine the definition I had given to my role as a mother. <br />
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I am realizing that my previous definition of motherhood; <em>my role to always be there for every need so that they will visibly see how much I love them, to care for them the way I want them to care for their own families one day and to protect them from anything and everything bad in this world that I can possibly prevent,</em> is giving way to a more refined and mature definition of what motherhood should evolve into offering. My work-in-progress definition based on this next stage of our life seems to be taking on this new meaning: <em>Motherhood is becoming able to let them go just far enough for them to learn that love comes in other forms than family. Motherhood is helping them realize, through the example of another, that devoting your life to caring for other people not out of a duty of family but a more eternal duty to humanity is an admirable and desirable quality. And motherhood is helping them realize that life is big, the world is diverse and although I hope that the ultimate safe place for our children will always be our familial home, I want my children to know that there can be a secure trust built between two strangers. That allowing my children the opportunity to build relationships in a safe atmosphere is so much a part of my motherly responsibility to their overall growth.</em> Although I am still struggling with the thought that I won't know every exact detail of my children's lives, that my house will sometimes be a little dirtier than I appreciate and that I more than likely will miss that first time Elias actually moves (yes that's right people, our 10.5 month old baby is still quite content to chill out in one spot on the floor while Abby and Noah serve his every need) I am in the beginning stages of realizing a greater potential for growth. I am so blessed. I have been blessed with a job that will help us to reach our future goals, blessed with a husband who is supportive both inside and outside of the home, blessed with children who are adaptable and happy, and blessed with a caregiver who is willing to provide love and care when circumstances are such that Mike and I can't. These are the thoughts I conjure when I forget and begin to pity my new life.<br />
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This past week has been a lesson in adaptability, sleep management and letting go of the expectations of what life should be after a 14 month placement in the home. Our family had a good start to our new life and I am praying that we will continue on the path that this week has established (fyi, any and all other prayers for success are graciously accepted and tremendously appreciated).<br />
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I am off for another week, this time on the day shift. We hope you all have a wonderful and successful week.<br />
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Love from the WillmottsIt's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-68913814193319410982011-01-11T07:19:00.000-08:002011-01-11T16:01:42.311-08:00Too good to pass upJust a quick note. This morning the kids were eating breakfast before we headed out to school, and Abby asked me a question. Her question was: "Mommy, when people are rich they have lots of stuff, so can I tell people I'm rich because I have lots of family?" <br />
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All I could say was "You can tell everyone that Abby."<br />
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Absolutely we are rich. Richer than I ever could have dreamed we would be. And this is why:<br />
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Because of this...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q7OdXkQBEDCphBuyxaSC08FPWUCJHby-D-0thC2Hhl20Tqq2Pcsel2NarJdhaa41XFyPb7lINTsiGSkZYMfore58K2X0NUPSXU1IDd507jWGC3F1OmTrzQ9nCoEGIZwLWQAxTmsHUw/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q7OdXkQBEDCphBuyxaSC08FPWUCJHby-D-0thC2Hhl20Tqq2Pcsel2NarJdhaa41XFyPb7lINTsiGSkZYMfore58K2X0NUPSXU1IDd507jWGC3F1OmTrzQ9nCoEGIZwLWQAxTmsHUw/s1600/4.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And these...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzRuSnL6emq8QuOZeh333SzNM390kcGgZzFfACTQRgaajQF1DPO-HoQfjSCidA0yNLIraBgj8WItLmtx4yXlYFoTwzz4I0uUE4FB2_PFdZIwwHbLEDE0A8o337L5fsOsie_vZRI-hOg/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzRuSnL6emq8QuOZeh333SzNM390kcGgZzFfACTQRgaajQF1DPO-HoQfjSCidA0yNLIraBgj8WItLmtx4yXlYFoTwzz4I0uUE4FB2_PFdZIwwHbLEDE0A8o337L5fsOsie_vZRI-hOg/s1600/8.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbY7f9Rw8in6dGRjo4FsrcXxmaHIG9WSGBCXlIOClJI5SWTqIP5nE-eQrWh98fb7cnZZYYhSUq6F71rv75A8sgHPJ6ggzKdOFo0SGhiD7JL6N5ZIvYH2UM8jsDYJKoyNqyQ9OdJwILw/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbY7f9Rw8in6dGRjo4FsrcXxmaHIG9WSGBCXlIOClJI5SWTqIP5nE-eQrWh98fb7cnZZYYhSUq6F71rv75A8sgHPJ6ggzKdOFo0SGhiD7JL6N5ZIvYH2UM8jsDYJKoyNqyQ9OdJwILw/s1600/10.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB6XfXmSbTQ91_mOA54cnDmxlgEyBZ-Wj_nE01W4PiIZAZXA7812GvsOIe_hhKweJx5IUQd9_cqs-yGeXn5ZVU4K7nmNthdUhSclm6jrK-lQLNwm7c9_tXzwfgxRFBv92_HcBnjDr1w/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisB6XfXmSbTQ91_mOA54cnDmxlgEyBZ-Wj_nE01W4PiIZAZXA7812GvsOIe_hhKweJx5IUQd9_cqs-yGeXn5ZVU4K7nmNthdUhSclm6jrK-lQLNwm7c9_tXzwfgxRFBv92_HcBnjDr1w/s1600/11.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And because of this...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPgfk_Uf6DpzAximY2g6OJRHIE-bzXy4HOxub4rokpuYmQRxGJt8PJXXP_Jjq0Y8cm78KS8BVhGORdGupTmtQG3Mz0HuEqisuVljK-QlMaPGvG-8YbYUBdDE2NzRPpaxfbUmBhmWBfg/s1600/mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaPgfk_Uf6DpzAximY2g6OJRHIE-bzXy4HOxub4rokpuYmQRxGJt8PJXXP_Jjq0Y8cm78KS8BVhGORdGupTmtQG3Mz0HuEqisuVljK-QlMaPGvG-8YbYUBdDE2NzRPpaxfbUmBhmWBfg/s1600/mail.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluvkTfejmaSYJ1w4kLjut5bI2dfwK5hN__XWoJ45LpshdJfc0ctNJaBnxKqiGcn9_Za0njgnAaoXF57t8iAq9ljt0juaWCkv0B8SZxmR1bgg9pb4b7v1Lh6FMPFRwWk-mG6zcWMsRcA/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiluvkTfejmaSYJ1w4kLjut5bI2dfwK5hN__XWoJ45LpshdJfc0ctNJaBnxKqiGcn9_Za0njgnAaoXF57t8iAq9ljt0juaWCkv0B8SZxmR1bgg9pb4b7v1Lh6FMPFRwWk-mG6zcWMsRcA/s1600/6.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ86fk6aTd0aDKR4PLGfl8AGSW1AZJkEi32RkXSxrCm9SqKUyAO4d1tRQTWz1yS0pmW9b5HPSsJl6LmrDToYXZ1DxZLmNL1cr8LFzVpxKqLk4LLs2KxeFacxGxvSpiUBO5RKs5V6AoSw/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ86fk6aTd0aDKR4PLGfl8AGSW1AZJkEi32RkXSxrCm9SqKUyAO4d1tRQTWz1yS0pmW9b5HPSsJl6LmrDToYXZ1DxZLmNL1cr8LFzVpxKqLk4LLs2KxeFacxGxvSpiUBO5RKs5V6AoSw/s1600/7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And this...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsK-VhZmGqbd_HEFYd6nJHSoBRC5AHCAqKiESXO937jcT8swwiTgJf3WK3qIp4NsFmu_ftUz64Cs5wkjgOj1Xus3gpZMX9h17UDCQPDryS7oBdTVrqw6Tq6aqeIdytL7qVEnlOoIY2A/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsK-VhZmGqbd_HEFYd6nJHSoBRC5AHCAqKiESXO937jcT8swwiTgJf3WK3qIp4NsFmu_ftUz64Cs5wkjgOj1Xus3gpZMX9h17UDCQPDryS7oBdTVrqw6Tq6aqeIdytL7qVEnlOoIY2A/s1600/9.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRFLfF300uYMLlPDvZz_pr4HP4qzaCzACS972g0J7uVwiFjjkv8DoYU8B1Y29vCDYd-eQiaa5bkrKQqsLqENu9ruwbWI1ekBYeZAnWSmObjtScsIp5ZEFidyvs3NHMCm97UhruQrC3A/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRFLfF300uYMLlPDvZz_pr4HP4qzaCzACS972g0J7uVwiFjjkv8DoYU8B1Y29vCDYd-eQiaa5bkrKQqsLqENu9ruwbWI1ekBYeZAnWSmObjtScsIp5ZEFidyvs3NHMCm97UhruQrC3A/s1600/2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
And of course this...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmpLk1Snp9c1LOGRI2ZjCsKIO37RSRDNfvlPV7hLsGn5lyi3qGms2rQMCe9MsISuY_dhEuQhGZj7p7s4P2aqEUBYv8F6qlvPsrzJjoiMiVR498Ms_6asp5my3cmnJRqS98trMA0Fk8w/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmpLk1Snp9c1LOGRI2ZjCsKIO37RSRDNfvlPV7hLsGn5lyi3qGms2rQMCe9MsISuY_dhEuQhGZj7p7s4P2aqEUBYv8F6qlvPsrzJjoiMiVR498Ms_6asp5my3cmnJRqS98trMA0Fk8w/s1600/3.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF2LLGUYCQi7oExwKN82c0Z4z3zoCU0ovf6OGD3Ub-CpYtGtuAN2pUgPrwWZA5ORFOiV4LAq9rCIY_S5bqViJ8zRFSAsEBmoP88fO1Prz9CYp0589V3-PJB5JzbGdhQCkTi89xK75kQ/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlF2LLGUYCQi7oExwKN82c0Z4z3zoCU0ovf6OGD3Ub-CpYtGtuAN2pUgPrwWZA5ORFOiV4LAq9rCIY_S5bqViJ8zRFSAsEBmoP88fO1Prz9CYp0589V3-PJB5JzbGdhQCkTi89xK75kQ/s1600/5.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Rich beyond my wildest dreams. Life is beautiful and so wonderfully fulfilling when you're looking in all the right places.<br />
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Love from the WillmottsIt's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-14460068844096211612011-01-09T13:08:00.000-08:002011-01-09T13:08:34.646-08:00Confessions<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Well December was a kind of thoughtful month for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent some time digging deep (I hope nobody finds that funny) when I was deciding what to blog about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while it was fun and purifying, it made me emotionally tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m kind of done with being all introspective for a bit I think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So this week I thought I would let you all in on a few confessions I have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s so fun to read other people’s confessions because it gives me a chance to see how funny life is, how much the same we all are in such little insane ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I put together a little list of some of the things that happen in my life on a regular basis that I find a little funny if not annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope you enjoy reading this and I hope also that some of you might take the time to write down some of your own confessions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really fun to do and has really helped me to view the lighter side of life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Confession #1</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sometimes I wear my pajama bottoms inside out because they always put the fuzzy part of the fabric on the outside</b>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s up with that eh?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s total false advertising too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Picture this:</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re browsing through a store, no real reason to be shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So as a default you decide to buy pajamas (we all know nobody actually goes to the store intending to buy pjs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are totally ‘just happened’ purchases.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re looking at all the neatly folded piles of pj bottoms checking out the colours, trying to mentally sort the 17 other pairs you have at home so you don’t buy the same colour you already have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would just be wasteful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You find some really cute ones with penguins standing on icebergs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awww, and there are baby penguins JUMPING off the icebergs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are so cute and so perfect and you totally don’t have that colour of blue yet!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if they are just as warm and cozy as the little penguins would suggest you will totally buy them and stay in tonight and watch a movie just so you can wear them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what do you do?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You take the pair off the top of that neatly folded pile and pet it softly at first to test the initial fuzziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then maybe with a little more force next time, you really want these to be the ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then of course if you’re shopping with your friend you do the whole “hey feel how soft these are”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And she does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you’ve both pet and patted this neatly folded pair of pj bottoms and they are exactly everything you hoped they would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re ready to make your purchase!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wonderful, except that you failed to do the one thing that would save you from your future pj drawer full of disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that thing is to rip apart that neatly folded bundle of happy and stick your arm right inside those puppies to feel what your thighs are REALLY getting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know about you, but if I have to shave my legs in order to comfortably enjoy a pair of ‘comfort pants’ I am so over that relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">If they really wanted people to know what they were actually getting they would fold those suckers inside-out and let the truth speak loud and clear. But they don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They fold them into this rubik’s cube of fluffy comfort so you have no CHANCE on earth of actually finding out what you’re buying before you sit down that night all scratchy-thighed and full of buyer’s remorse.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I am going to start a pajama company called “Happy Thighs” where all of my products will be intended to be worn inside-out and that will be cool, and normal and so comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now that I’ve posted this, if anyone of you steal this business idea I will sue you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been warned.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Confession #2</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sometimes I’m thankful I go to church for the simple fact that I would not have worn real clothes or put on actual makeup all week if not for Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">One week back when Elias was in his first few months, (I think it was a Wednesday) I was blow-drying my hair in the morning and Abigail stormed into our room all huffy with her arms crossed and her face all screwed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turned off the blow-drier to ask what was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was expecting the usual “Noah hit me” or “Noah won’t share the couch”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But instead I got a “NO FAIR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to watch Spongebob today!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was totally confused and unable to connect the dots on this one, so I said “Ookaaayyy, and why can’t you?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To which Abby replied “Because we have to go to church!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I said, “No honey it’s Wednesday, we don’t go to church today”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her face immediately morphed into a surprised happiness as she then flippantly asked “Then why are you blow-drying your hair?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was when I first realized my problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s probably been 5 months since the incident and I’m a little ashamed to admit that I haven’t taken many steps towards a solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, some weeks are better than others, but as a whole I’m averaging probably 3 out of 7 on a good week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it’s not for lack of trying, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But after a night of waking up 3 times for 3 different late-night emergencies, 6am comes way too fast and if I miss it, even by an hour, the day is here and there are mouths to feed and yaddah, yaddah, yaddah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah these are excuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a bum and I know it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let me tell you, if you go all week without makeup, when Sunday rolls around, you sure feel fancy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So balk if you want, but I’m grateful for all the blessings of the gospel and it just so happens that feeling fancy turns out to be one very satisfying one!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Confession #3</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I am aware of and recognize the clever marketing ploys of our world, but still find myself extremely influenced towards their purpose.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I will explain this confession with two specific examples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember very distinctly how offended my senses used to be by the word spandex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you remember when spandex used to be what middle-aged women wore as they unnaturally swung their hips back and forth, power-walking their way down ‘suburbian’ sidewalks with those dumb little 1.5 lbs hand weights in tow?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spandex used to be fluorescently accented with greens and pinks and sometimes a zipper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I used to swear up and down that I would never, ever wear spandex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after I was old enough to voice my opinion on wearing pre-pubescent matching legging/oversized t-shirt combos from Northern Getaway, I never again did… That was until someone, somewhere in ‘Advertismentopia’ started magically calling spandex ‘yoga wear’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was when I was like, “hey, yah I totally want to look like I do yoga!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yoga is so cool!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could totally do yoga, I should buy the pants.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(And for the record, I tried it and I totally CAN’T do yoga).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I went out, and bought a pair of ‘yoga pants’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And somewhere in the back of my brain, the spandex center was wildly blasting a warning siren.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But all I did was half acknowledge that I actually owned a pair of spandex pants, and then I turned my thoughts to yoga.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here I am as 25 year old me, owning various pairs of spandex pants and I’m totally ok with it now because I’m not calling it spandex anymore and neither are you. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Part two of this particular confession came to fruition on that magical day when Coca-Cola® took their famous Diet Coke® product and repackaged, reinvented and remarketed it as Coke Zero®.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those geniuses in the marketing divisions at Coca-Cola® headquarters took the exact product they already possessed and targeted the ‘zero-calorie’ wave that was sweeping its way across the continent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They fancied up the can, changed the name and captured a whole slew of faithful new customers without even having to come up with a new product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So smart on their part, so dumb (as a general consumer population) on ours. And I totally knew what they were doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized exactly what was happening but still found myself asking at the drive-thru window if they carried Coke Zero® or just Diet Coke®.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How ridiculous am I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am sort of ashamed to admit that I am so knowingly influenced but at the same time I am totally ok with it as long as I’m sitting comfortably in my yoga pants with a Coke Zero® in hand.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: large;">Confession #4</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I watch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Suite Life of Zack and Cody </i>and/or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Suite Life: On Deck</i> even though a) my children are too young to watch it, and b) I am too old to watch it.</b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">There’s something about that pesky little Zack and his all too responsible brother Cody that I just can’t get enough of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is a magnificent show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And you know what?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If <city w:st="on"><place w:st="on">London</place></city> were a real person, I would so want to be her friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is funny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And as I write this I am realizing how horrible a confession this truly is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may not be proud of it, but given the choice I would undoubtedly choose to watch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Suite Life </i>over any medical drama out there.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Ok there you go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s enough for today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have confessed a few of the idiosyncrasies in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure I’m not alone on these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But on the off chance that I am and you think I’m weird, I would just like to point out that I also pay my taxes (well Mike pays them), I take my daughter to school and eat three square meals a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am actually normal I swear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well except maybe for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suite Life </i>thing.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Ciao for now!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Love from the Willmotts</div>It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-18303665037590996962011-01-03T19:00:00.000-08:002011-01-03T19:00:48.627-08:00Christmas, New Years and life threatening illness…<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It seems so long ago that we actually sat around the Christmas tree with our families and celebrated the birth of Jesus, but that’s probably because we have spent the past week holed up in our home sicker than sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems as though everyone I talk to is sick right now, but I still maintain that our sick is SO MUCH sicker than your sick!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lol!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But really it feels like this sickness that is going through our family literally feeds and fuels itself off of each other’s attempts to regain any sort of health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abby started with it and she is on day 6 of fevers, chills, headaches and flu/cold like symptoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time I think she’s rounding the bend towards recovery she takes another hard fall back to a spike in fever and major loss of appetite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel so bad for her!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Noah has it, Elias just got it yesterday, Mike has been sick for the past few days and I haven’t been sick like this since I was pregnant with Elias.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a BRUTAL sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I will add this past week to the ‘pro’ side of that list I mentally compile each year when I consider, then neglect to opt for the ‘flu shot’ that’s all the rave these days.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">But on a more positive note, our Christmas was a wonderfully busy and eventful few days of celebration!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent Christmas eve and Christmas morning at our house with my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas eve was a mess of my mom’s famous ‘pre-cursor to the event’ gift opening for the kids (Christmas Eve pjs to wear, a new Night Before Christmas book to read before bed and a super cute plate and mug for Santa’s late night snack), ushering our unwilling children into restless slumber, a rousing game of charades (our team won), and then a 2 hour ordeal of Mike and my Dad piecing together a massive train set while the girls watched season 6 of Reba.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UM4Y3uI_CtPLUyYk8BOIg80xYXpuv5xiLaJqyThHeusGiI9Nh1vEL48FNfDhqCW5p8Z0DV4JwwXR17F94P8n2HEyCMpw-RzIANR0olWMswiZgT99lX4_-Xi06jav8nWZZckrJ4Rcew/s1600/Picture+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UM4Y3uI_CtPLUyYk8BOIg80xYXpuv5xiLaJqyThHeusGiI9Nh1vEL48FNfDhqCW5p8Z0DV4JwwXR17F94P8n2HEyCMpw-RzIANR0olWMswiZgT99lX4_-Xi06jav8nWZZckrJ4Rcew/s320/Picture+116.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Train Set (It makes noises... oh yeah)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj826oLetrKUwSMD8B6rBcCBaGSFsh-spn5llThclXH90-8REXZg3Dmc6ZsR54rIBgUDW9cApJlpix8QCuwHrNSwa24tZY9bek7nQ3Ta68o_L5hoxqeM9aYjjK-rh5Mdz3uydLR34tVng/s1600/Picture+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj826oLetrKUwSMD8B6rBcCBaGSFsh-spn5llThclXH90-8REXZg3Dmc6ZsR54rIBgUDW9cApJlpix8QCuwHrNSwa24tZY9bek7nQ3Ta68o_L5hoxqeM9aYjjK-rh5Mdz3uydLR34tVng/s320/Picture+045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas!!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We ended up in bed just after midnight only to be woken at 4:30am by the light ‘tap-tap-tap’ of an eager, yet patient 5 year old and her mightily impatient 3 year old sidekick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent them back down to their room which held strong for about 15 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were then invited into our hugely accommodating queen size bed to rest for a while and after 15 more minutes of being kneed and elbowed where no man should ever be kneed or elbowed, Mike resigned to failure and at 5:15 am he joined in all the excitement with a “well I guess we might as well see what Santa brought”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So 5:15am we were up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And by 6:00am Noah had succumbed to a full out melt down and was back in bed fast asleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haha oh Noah.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsjaR5mLVzcZdtyx-zwHb91hHHECsbMKddJZZMRwZ8KVeZoJicmdrJA0VJLMOGx4tnqAUQ2AIJhzYT1izxDHhp4W1nyqd36Pa7livQyYKRz4a2oo09jummRaoDM6FzLhoRNEMo6xclg/s1600/Picture+063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsjaR5mLVzcZdtyx-zwHb91hHHECsbMKddJZZMRwZ8KVeZoJicmdrJA0VJLMOGx4tnqAUQ2AIJhzYT1izxDHhp4W1nyqd36Pa7livQyYKRz4a2oo09jummRaoDM6FzLhoRNEMo6xclg/s320/Picture+063.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah starting to lose it as Mike was reading the story of Jesus' birth!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIOfWrdvV6cjRBH2LEl7NeILcVI9OwDPCU3wa7QPVBB6ht-2GFWHXGnCRIaeTwt0RJSmdjajWQrJstTzWr2hQ0GwpMZNhr5i_vB0Tp1Lw9JI-LDh_G27SQbVdNqpm9HGzDK0Zhfmyfg/s1600/Picture+073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTIOfWrdvV6cjRBH2LEl7NeILcVI9OwDPCU3wa7QPVBB6ht-2GFWHXGnCRIaeTwt0RJSmdjajWQrJstTzWr2hQ0GwpMZNhr5i_vB0Tp1Lw9JI-LDh_G27SQbVdNqpm9HGzDK0Zhfmyfg/s320/Picture+073.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Stockings!!! </td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">My parents and Shawna and Kirsten came back over at 8am and we opened a mountain of gifts for the children which were all so wonderfully thoughtful and extremely well received!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ate soufflé, bacon, toast and the Willmott family Christmas morning favourite “Cheese Dreams” (naming rights may actually be reserved to the Wright family, I’d have to check into it further) and had a really comfortable Christmas morning amongst all the chaos and carnage of Christmas past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Elias had a beautiful first Christmas morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was really fun to see him tearing at and later trying to eat the wrapping paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s the oldest any of our babies have been at their first Christmas and it was really a joy to watch him engage in the whole atmosphere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It doesn’t take all the magic of Christmas to point out how amazingly blessed Mike and I are, but it sure helps to make it hard to forget!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbssQ8M6Ct3XjF_XR04e8GNGeUbsWM_wFB-aAl5dx7aXk3Arwo4Qa-PLT4ApyJcrq_Tox4lhLfJckxs8k0eEymCY371A-io38OCNhjO3S4V_ySfF5Qn_1HMaFmxs6GDMlo1AHlIb5iA/s1600/Picture+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbssQ8M6Ct3XjF_XR04e8GNGeUbsWM_wFB-aAl5dx7aXk3Arwo4Qa-PLT4ApyJcrq_Tox4lhLfJckxs8k0eEymCY371A-io38OCNhjO3S4V_ySfF5Qn_1HMaFmxs6GDMlo1AHlIb5iA/s320/Picture+035.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Andrew and Kirsten... What?! you can't see him??</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZVwPoJI_P0cfNPvEN-gcFOzeDY_LGtkSI027QSIfxR-m2slv6WfDrK7zPWPleMLhHxdwQn1864nzrLnsS9d7LNomhg_l7YtUOQvsjq2CyP8ZUk60AG-2WdzZoA9m5lFxJd177Hed2g/s1600/Picture+110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZVwPoJI_P0cfNPvEN-gcFOzeDY_LGtkSI027QSIfxR-m2slv6WfDrK7zPWPleMLhHxdwQn1864nzrLnsS9d7LNomhg_l7YtUOQvsjq2CyP8ZUk60AG-2WdzZoA9m5lFxJd177Hed2g/s320/Picture+110.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elias in his monster sweatshirt!!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq_MdkdubGabpnlf0sldPuLtnx3Rgcv-ui_eKoOKnXnk_msFZjjLScHsxhOqGxbbi9fKtSpUNRjA4x4l2uIhth1Qgi01HrQxyELyjoA2wZ56hmY5EcfBbyulb5T56o3KcvClMxWghPg/s1600/Picture+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDq_MdkdubGabpnlf0sldPuLtnx3Rgcv-ui_eKoOKnXnk_msFZjjLScHsxhOqGxbbi9fKtSpUNRjA4x4l2uIhth1Qgi01HrQxyELyjoA2wZ56hmY5EcfBbyulb5T56o3KcvClMxWghPg/s320/Picture+087.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yahhhh Kung ZHU!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJCTTaRFoKw-Ng2-0IN73lsgSS-DZAXPfqSye6CVmD94WhMODcf5205usPYm7mb74YzPQQrthjEzIQxMa0MYs69spEEU3pE6l0RAZtIt0Bawp69Bx54eca9R8R_z0hAaVbWBWcK8CdA/s1600/Picture+088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJCTTaRFoKw-Ng2-0IN73lsgSS-DZAXPfqSye6CVmD94WhMODcf5205usPYm7mb74YzPQQrthjEzIQxMa0MYs69spEEU3pE6l0RAZtIt0Bawp69Bx54eca9R8R_z0hAaVbWBWcK8CdA/s320/Picture+088.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lotta Barbie!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Just before noon we packed up as little as possible (we made sure we had each child but that was about all we really had room in our minds to ensure) and headed for Mike’s parent’s house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We needed to make it there by 1pm so we had enough time to get everyone inside and settled for the 1:30pm date the Willmott household had with a certain missionary!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s right, Elder Willmott was calling home at 1:30pm to wish his anxious family a Merry Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I have never been present when a family has been in waiting for a call from a son/daughter on a mission, but I’m sure that if I ever get the chance to be around again when it happens I will jump at that opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was such a beautiful thing to visibly see the anticipation and love each member of the family has for Elder Willmott. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched as a mother worried and fussed around a kitchen just to stay busy until she could hear the voice of her youngest son for the first time in four months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched as a father milled from room to room studying the faces of each member of his family, concerning himself with the proper placement of his scriptures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That gesture, in that instance symbolized strongly to me the link between the careful placement of the gospel in your home, to ensure the righteous success of your children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I watched as a brother was unable to hide his smile knowing that soon he would spend a few minutes gaining insight into the intensely different life of a man he had grown through so much with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I watched as sisters who had been outwardly joyous about their chance to speak to their brother all week, fixed their hair, changed their clothes and prepared themselves physically the way any girl does when she’s about to participate an anticipated event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so fun to watch everyone take their turn talking to Elder Willmott, laughing listening and immediately crying once they said goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until this Christmas day, I had never understood the joy that hid in the stories people told about talking to their missionaries on their ‘phone home days’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I was grateful for my chance to speak with Elder Willmott myself, I was even more thankful to watch him touch the hearts of his family from across the country as he spoke to each of his biggest fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Missionary work is so beautiful in very obvious ways and absolutely breathtaking in ways I never could have imagined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so grateful for Elder Andrew Willmott and the influence he is to those he serves, but so unexpectedly grateful for the influence his example has been right here in our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">We had such an amazing Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a great first for Elias, third for Noah, fifth for Abby, 25<sup>th</sup> for me and 27<sup>th</sup> for Mike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s 41 different potential Christmas memories between all of us and I definitely will put this one down as #1 on my list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas eve and Christmas day were amazing days because we were surrounded by our families but unmistakably because we were surrounded by the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sincerely hope that you all had the Spirit in your heart and your homes as you celebrated Christmas this year!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroe_VUnjDSODqZfOz3lgTPX8tBxbc1rzVfG4zUaXb4JX-E68dX8_kQdqsvhUUMhw0duWpsJS_jHqyBLgDIsglPETwcIVtc5EBH7f-Rd4irn1FUmAd5Ko_z2dCiY_XOrYCrFvHiSzc6Q/s1600/Picture+060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroe_VUnjDSODqZfOz3lgTPX8tBxbc1rzVfG4zUaXb4JX-E68dX8_kQdqsvhUUMhw0duWpsJS_jHqyBLgDIsglPETwcIVtc5EBH7f-Rd4irn1FUmAd5Ko_z2dCiY_XOrYCrFvHiSzc6Q/s320/Picture+060.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Noah pointing to the leftover piece of 'Tim Horton's Donut' Abby insisted Santa <br />
would appreciate more than cookies!! They split the last bite... sickos!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKm4fBcA0Z9DMbzLWZuVUhaVdUB2HAXqbN_Kva69SvTn622ZutygnaYL6xYcoByg7bHokNgEXxXT5RLbOEe8K_PmPbXBq6c8TOqhrwvqpdhhDsL9_uIje1QsZN026Z2AJcc9I6e7mYA/s1600/Picture+115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdKm4fBcA0Z9DMbzLWZuVUhaVdUB2HAXqbN_Kva69SvTn622ZutygnaYL6xYcoByg7bHokNgEXxXT5RLbOEe8K_PmPbXBq6c8TOqhrwvqpdhhDsL9_uIje1QsZN026Z2AJcc9I6e7mYA/s320/Picture+115.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How much did you loves these as a kid??!?!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">New Years Eve:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Not much to report on this front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were sick as an emergency room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I changed the clocks from 6:20pm to 11:40pm while Mike created a diversion since Abby conveniently chose last week to start learning how to tell time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We YouTubed a countdown, enthusiastically wore hats, glow necklaces and bracelets and suffered through a lousy internet connection as we bumped and jumped our way down the count down, ensuring our kids every time YouTube struggled to load the next number that we were just ‘waiting for all those people in the world to catch up to us’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once we hit ‘1’ we yelled and air kissed our nasty, germy “HAPPY NEW YEAR” then quickly shuffled our sickies off to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was asleep by 8pm and Mike by 10pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are that cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So at 3 days past the mark of a new year, I can sit without falling over for long enough to type out a meager HAPPY NEW YEAR to y’all!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Sorry I have been lacking in posts lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will resume my ‘Sunday strategy’ next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I wish you all a Happy New Year and hope nothing but the best for you and your families in 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Love and Joy, Peace and Happiness!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Love from the Willmotts </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-54913369839621314252010-12-19T19:45:00.000-08:002010-12-19T19:45:09.184-08:00On What I've Learned So Far...<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Given the title of this post, I think I should start by saying that in no way do I consider myself, in my vast 25 years of life, to possess any surplus of knowledge in any aspect of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nor do I consider myself in any position to be giving any sort of advice on any subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am simply writing this post so that in a few years I might be able to look back and maybe have a laugh, maybe shed a few tears, but most likely I will be able to discover how completely off the mark I was in my realizations of the world around me. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">It is the growth I am looking to document.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A way to tangibly see how my family and my mind have grown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How, despite the feelings we all have that we were, are and will always be the same person, we are in fact not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We move, we change, we progress, we digress and we are in constant flux.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to see that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to document that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to remember the me that I was when I was in my 20s and I want my children to know who I was and where I grew from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So the following is what I know right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not worldly, I am no scholar, but what I have learned so far has been a lesson in life, love and the Lord.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">On Life</span>:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know</b>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That sprinkles and food colouring are tools that every mother should have in her bag ‘o tricks</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When ensuring the proper intake of nutrients in your child’s diet, there is no better way to get that food down those yappers than a small dousing of your child’s favourite artificial colouring and a few multi-coloured sprinkles to taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(note- chocolate, or monotone sprinkles may work in a pinch).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must confess, I have been known to add food colouring to yogourt, milk and apple sauce and sprinkles to toast, waffles and let’s be honest, meat and potatoes (don’t judge).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whomever it was that invented these household comforts, it is with adoration that I salute you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know</b>- That <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">there is a monumental difference between having fun and being happy.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I spent much of my life confused in a mixed understanding of fun versus happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often equated the moments of fun I enjoyed to mean that I was happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in reality, when that momentary “high” wore off and the fun was over, I was left with nothing but the chance to look forward again to the next time I could have fun in the moment. I found that when I gave up the various safety nets of substance induced fun I had put in place, I forced myself to find a way to be truly happy with the reality of life, not just the expectation of another fun time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that what I thought was ‘giving up’ certain means for fun, was actually allowing me to gain a purity and cleanliness to my life that made enough room for me to learn how to have shameless and honourable fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I started to live my life in a way that honoured the importance of the true me, I allowed joy and happiness to enter into my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have recently realized that fun lingers but joy lasts, and it is joy with whom I wish to live.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know</b>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That the laughter of my children is the most beautiful sound in the world</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few days ago I was in a BAD mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like a downright fightin’, kickin’ and screamin’ kinda mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was getting ready to make lunch for the children and the kitchen was a mess, there were toys all over the room, Noah was whining for food NOW and I really had to pee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was trying extremely hard to make absolutely no sound so that the angry stream of thoughts that was running through my head would not make its presence known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so close to setting the finished product of a cold hotdog, goldfish crackers, grapes and a cheese string on the table when Noah completely lost his sanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He LOST it, like complete insanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was doing this thing where he screams REALLY loud then stops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think just maybe he’s going to pull it together before you turn into, well him, and then he screams again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s horrible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have to try to catch the break between screams in order to get a scolding in and if you miss it, you’re stuck for another torturous 15-20 seconds of scream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was timing my objection like a little girl waiting for the exact right moment to enter into a double dutch game when he coughed… and farted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was a big one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Possibly even a few decibels louder than his scream… THAT big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abigail, not missing a beat, chimed in with a “you tooted”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, lo and behold, this screaming monster of a child looked at me, looked at Abby, looked behind himself at his bum and said, “That was a big one” then promptly erupted in laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abby followed suit, Elias started laughing at the pure joy of having someone to laugh with and all of a sudden I no longer cared about the mess, the toys or the incessant screaming and whining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still had to pee, but this moment of laughter was one of the most calming, relaxing and beautiful moments I can recall to this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was all brought to us by the letter F… followed by the letters A, R, T.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughter is beautiful and when it comes in the form of innocent peels of joy from your children, there is no messy kitchen out there that stands a chance.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">On Love:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know</b>-<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That I never really understood how much my parents loved their children until I saw them love my children.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I grew up with amazing parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was loved, cared for, nurtured and guided.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was never a question in my home about where my parent’s loyalty belonged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was with each other and with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when I say I never understood how much my parents loved us, I do not mean that I didn’t understand that I was loved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew their love existed, but it was the extent of their love I did not understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until recently, as I have been fortunate enough to witness the relationship my children share with their grandparents (and I speak not only of my parents but of my parents-in-law as well) that I have made the undeniable connection between the love that flows from parent, to child to grandchild.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love is wonderful that way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It leaves no gaps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot love a child without love for the reason they exist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is such a divine and intricate plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How amazingly circular the love of family is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have gained so much insight into who my parents are, and why they are who they are from simply birthing three wonderful children for them to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great means by which to understand more fully the love I receive from the ones who gave me life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know</b>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That love’s memory is clearer than pain’s</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that in each of our lives when we come to our final days there will be an overlying tone to our whole life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One strong emotion that has taken hold of the course our life runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this 25 year mark in my life one clear tone is evident to me and that tone is love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had so much love given, and I have had no shortage of people with which to give of my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, I have had trials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have failed horribly and have been failed at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although the memory and pain of my mistakes can still sting, none has stung long enough or hard enough to overwhelm to memory of the love I have experienced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it will serve me well to remember this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To remember through any future trials, that, at the risk of sounding cliché, “this too shall pass”. That when all is said and done, love will carry me further and longer than pain ever could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let not the memory of pain overshadow the light love, for it is in love that we live and in pain that we perish.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know</b>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That striving for a marriage built on a foundation of mutual love and respect is neither outdated nor impossible</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are bombarded with the expectation that everything we build will eventually fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That nothing can be made strong enough to withstand rising divorce rates, diminishing family values and impending marital failure. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The reality of these expectations hit me like a ton of bricks one day when Abigail was playing with a friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was playing house and she wanted to play husband and wife and the husband and wife were going to share a room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her friend then told her that her mom and dad didn’t share a room because her daddy didn’t live with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made me so sad to hear a small child so accustomed to a reality that I could tell truly hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that it’s ok and normal to fail, that ‘falling out of love’ has become a real reason to stop trying but I also know that there is a higher standard that we are meant to hold ourselves to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have found that standard reciprocated in the love my husband has for me and each day I thank the Lord that I have been lucky enough to find a man who encourages a steady course towards a long and happy marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marriage IS important and extremely sacred and I am so thankful for the examples of marriage Mike and I have in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you to our parents for being a steadfast example to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is upon your example that we build the foundation of our relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it is through your example that we have learned to build with bricks and mortar, to nurture and maintain with highest priority the commitments we have made to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">On the Lord:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know</b>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That a testimony of the Lord can make you a better person, make your life better and make your family stronger.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t until I began to search my life for meaning and contemplate my true purpose that I realized that the Bible holds in it a standard of living that makes much more sense than the worldly standard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was able to humble myself to the knowledge of a higher power than me, and accept that despite my firm belief that I ultimately control the world, I may actually not be the one in supreme control, I was able to search, pray and ponder the existence of God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found Him quietly one night on my knees in an empty room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t speak, He just listened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He offered a peace that I had been unknowingly searching for and wrapped me softly into His fold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am nothing close to perfect, but I do honestly feel that since I have come to know and love the Lord, I am a better person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am a kinder and more loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I view my family and the sanctity that holds in a fresher and clearer light and I am peacefully working towards being a little better than yesterday.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I know</b>- <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">That Jesus is the Christ and that the beautiful, tranquil feeling that overwhelms us at Christmas time is the Lord’s assurance to us that Jesus is the road through which we can feel that feeling all year long.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward with an open heart to raising my children by the example that Jesus Christ set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am thankful each day that we have been given the gift of a perfect example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus, with the fondness and love that I feel towards my children on their respective birthdays and that is because Jesus is the Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is the final week before Christmas, and although I have been saying it all month long, I hope you all have a wonderfully Merry Christmas!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May you enjoy each day and find love and joy in all you do!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Love from the Willmotts</div>It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-45545072477711736142010-12-12T20:11:00.000-08:002010-12-13T10:37:50.853-08:00Letters to my family<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I’m sorry if this blog post is a little dry… I am writing this more for a journaling purpose than for a ‘general entertainment’ purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it never hurts to share with the world how much your family means to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So please enjoy, and if you get bored, just hit that ‘next blog’ button at the top of the page there… I’m sure you can find something else to peak your interest!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cheers!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To my oldest daughter at the end of your fifth year: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">2010 has come and gone and I would like to take this time to put into words how I feel about our past year together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have accomplished so much in your fifth year of life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can spell, you can count to 100, you can read many words, you can sing us beautiful songs, you can make a game out of a toilet paper roll and a spoon, but most importantly you can love.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You are so full of pure, unconditional love and each day we spend with you it becomes more and more apparent that you have been blessed with an exceptional talent to love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are an example to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You help me to remember to treat all of God’s children with the love and kindness He expects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I visited your classroom two weeks ago to observe you in your ‘school environment’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I watched you interact with your classmates, participate in activities and work hard to write in your journal, I was immediately stricken with your level of awareness of the children around you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were quick to help your friends find their journals and happily pulled up a chair for a little boy who didn’t have a spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your teacher expressed to me that you often concern yourself with kids who seem to be having a rough day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are quick to hold a hand, give a hug or invite a lonely friend to join in your game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this quality about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so proud of who you are and if you are to do nothing more in this life other than simply being a good person you will have accomplished everything.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You have a self confidence that I admire and it is my wish for you that you continue this trait throughout your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes boys and girls say mean things to you, you tell us these things, and when we ask what you think about their hurtful words your answer is always an easy and confident “That doesn’t matter to me”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have the ability to let things roll off of your back without investing too much energy being sad or angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When people make you sad or hurt your feelings we talk about it and you often choose to say a prayer for that person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You tell us that “Heavenly Father can help people to not be mean”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have already gained an understanding of the power of prayer in your life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your father and I will do our best to help you maintain that knowledge as it will serve you well throughout your life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You will be told that life is hard my baby girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may be true, but what is also true is that through our toughest of trials we will find our greatest of strengths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a girl, you will face a mountain of trials that have the potential to leave you an empty and tired shell of a woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our world is teeming with quiet and subtle attacks to the core of who a woman is, but your love and your confidence is the armor you possess to protect against the hardships your life will bring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are crucial to the plan that our Heavenly Father has for this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a role so unique and special and it is so important you spend ample time learning who you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody knows you better than your Father in Heaven and it is Him with whom you can turn to for any knowledge you wish to possess.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I love you Abigail Margaret Willmott and I have had such an amazing year with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holiday season is made so special with you in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas to the love of my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With adoring love,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Mommy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To my oldest son at the end of your third year:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">At the end of this year I want to share with you some of the lasting impressions you have made on my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen you grow so much over this past year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the course of one year, you have grown from a babbling toddler into a very well articulated preschooler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have your very own ideas and no shortage of ways to express them!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You my Noah are a challenging soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are outspoken, wild and extremely expressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are our middle child who makes his presence well known.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a determination to never get lost in the middle of our crowd and I am so thankful for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so extremely proud of everything you are, everything you do and everything you create.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are imaginative, insightful, well spoken, crazy lovable and just so darn cute.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This year you mastered so many milestones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were a late walker as a baby and when we moved to our home you still hadn’t mastered the careful art of ascending and descending stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are six stairs up in our house and 9 stairs down and by the beginning of 2010 you were a pro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may have fallen many times but your inborn determination to stick it to life helped you to succeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2010 saw you sleep in your first big boy bed, learn to dress yourself (sorta), learn to use the potty and learn to drink from a big boy cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a hard worker, and are determined to do everything and anything you see fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are coming to realize that you have been blessed with the talent of strong will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a characteristic that when harnessed the right way, will help you achieve greatness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are great, you always have been great, and I know you will always be great!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">However strong willed you are, you are also in direct opposition of yourself in one very specific way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have a nurturing and protective sensitivity to your personality that makes you unbearably lovable to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your loyalties lie with those you love and trust and you are already willing to sacrifice of yourself to protect others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We often hear you in the school yard at Abby’s school giving heck to others with whom you perceive to be ‘messing with’ your sister.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never hesitate to yell at someone (mostly me) to “stop making (your) sister sad”, and you are absolutely sure that if the need were to arise, you would totally be able to “hiii-yah any bad guys” who were going to get us.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I love that you own such a protective quality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be a blessing to those you love as you grow into manhood if you always nurture and groom your ability to protect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man in our world today plays a powerful and influential role in Heavenly Father’s plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that you will grasp this opportunity you have been granted and use it to better the lives of your family and friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Search the scriptures often and learn from the examples of the righteous men of old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pray to your Father in Heaven to magnify your inborn talents so that you can bless this world with a righteous and commanding presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have been blessed to have been born into a family with a father who is working hard to lead you towards righteousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love your father as he loves you and you will be unstoppable.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I love you Noah Craig Willmott and I have had such an amazing year with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holiday season is made so special with you in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas to the love of my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With adoring love,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Mommy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To my youngest son at the end of your first year: </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">This is the year your life here began.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the year of so many firsts for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You entered into our family in a way that was entirely logical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just absolutely fit.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I know your personality already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know your talents and I know your strengths.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I held you in my arms as my first child born to me while in membership of the church and it was in that moment when the veil was so paper thin that Heavenly Father was able to whisper what it is that I needed to know about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that instant you came into the world, I felt my connection to the Lord and I felt His hand at work in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You brought me the closest I have ever been to our Heavenly Father and it is through you that I have gained much of my testimony of the work I am meant to do.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I was told when you were born, in that still small voice, of the man you will become.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that you are sensitive and kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know that you possess the talent of leading by example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will be a strength to our family, a sort of staple child that binds the values and characteristics we strive for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You have a heartwarming smile that radiates through your eyes, immediately blessing the life of anyone fortunate enough to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you were only days old, I would lie on the couch in the middle of the night with you on my chest and wrap you into my body to regulate your temperature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was in those moments when your body was so close again to mine, that I would feel the miracle of who you are, where you had just been, and where you are going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the beginning you have been a cuddler, and there is no sweeter gift a baby can give his mommy than to be so happy to be held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You gave me more sleepless nights than your sister and brother ever did, but somehow your kind and gentle being made it an experience I looked forward to with a sense of urgency each night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As 2am drew closer, I would crave your presence again and often woke before you did in anticipation of the stolen moments we would share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You gave me back my nightlife in a way that was entirely superior to any teenage late night quest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I love you for the joy you bring to this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have seen you, in your tiny infant state, change the course of a complete stranger’s day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have caused the grumpiest of men in line at the grocery store to erupt in thunderous laughter as you peek around my body to deliver a gentle smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People leave your presence happier than when they entered and I know that you have been sent here to make this world better one precious smile at a time. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I watch you try and succeed to do something new each day and I am so grateful to have been chosen to be your mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every time you sit on your own, splash in your bath, eat a new food, point your chubby finger or grow another inch of hair that sticks straight up, I feel a sense of overwhelming pride flow through my body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are so perfect.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I love you Elias Peter Willmott and I have had such an amazing year with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holiday season is made so special with you in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas to the love of my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With adoring love,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Mommy</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">To my husband at the end of another year:</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You are a charismatic and remarkable force to this world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People are drawn to you and I was lucky enough to have been introduced into your line of sight 7 years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had an amazing journey with you through 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I have watched you grow as much as our own children this past year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each day you surprise me with something wonderfully new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a strong and confident priesthood leader to our family and I am so blessed to be married to a man who is willing to rise against the norm and be a guiding strength among us.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You are a powerful example in three separate and specific ways: As the father to a little girl, as the father to two little boys, and as my husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You show Abigail the importance of a strong relationship with a man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it is true that a woman looks for a mate who portrays the characteristics of her father, then Abigail is so lucky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You show Noah and Elias the importance of being a strong and righteous man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You lead by example down a path that will encourage righteous choices and a family based life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You show me that life can be a peaceful and harmonious balance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have provided a safe place for my love to rest and it is in you that I see my past, present and future.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You sealed your life and love to me on June 17<sup>th</sup>, 2010.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You entered into a sacred responsibility to devote not only your present life, but your continuation of life beyond the grave to myself and our children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the ultimate of commitments to your family and since that day I view you through eyes that well with gratitude and thanksgiving for the man you have become. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">You are an amazing man Mike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You make me laugh, you make me cry (mostly tears of joy) and you make me smile when I think about you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have been so many things to me over the years but at the end of 2010 I am so happy to be able to have you as my best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life may not always be as easy or as kind as we may hope it to be, but it is helpful to know that you are here with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a true love to me and my life is complete with you in it.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">I love you Michael Peter Willmott and I have had such an amazing year with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holiday season is made so special with you in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas to the love of my life.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">With adoring love,</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Your wife</div>It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-73465472940323999712010-12-05T15:17:00.000-08:002010-12-05T15:17:56.201-08:00Willmott Top 10 of 2010<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Bradley Hand ITC'; font-size: 20pt;">Willmott Top Ten of 2010</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As 2010 draws closer to an end through this wonderful holiday season, we often take the time to reflect back on our year’s accomplishments. 2010 was an exciting year for our family. We all grew a little, loved a lot, and tried our hardest to find as much joy as possible! We have put together a list of the top ten accomplishments of our year, in no specific order, so that you may too enjoy with us the memory of another wonderful year in the life of the Willmott family. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">10.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Noah uses the potty</i>-</b> Now Noah is 3 so this may seem a logical next step in a child’s life but believe us when we say this was MONUMENTAL in the Willmott home! Noah, after months and months of outright potty denial, surprised us two weeks shy of his 3<sup>rd</sup> birthday and just took the leap! It has been a long and messy journey, but we are elated to have made it. Congratulations to Noah!!! (Don't worry, I wont post a picture)</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">9.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abby moves up to SENIOR kindergarten</i>-</b> Abigail was so pleased with herself once she moved from small-time JK to the big leagues of SK!! Although she had to wait a few weeks into September to actually start school (staggered starts for kindergartens) she has had such a wonderful time being one of the ‘big kids’ in the classroom.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby outside her kindergarten door on her first day!!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">8.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Meghan spent a full calendar year home with the children</i>-</b> Meghan started her maternity leave early due to a small medical need and has spent the whole of 2010 with the children. Although we watch our children learn so much in one year, this past year of fulltime mommy-hood has probably seen the most growth in Meghan. What an intense 14 month course it has been. Meghan learned more about her family in the past year than she had in the past 6, and has grown such a great appreciation for each member in such uniquely specific ways. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meghan and her three babies!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">7.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Abigail turned 5 years old</i>-</b> Abby waited very patiently for the majority of the year so she could turn a “whole hand” on November 19. She had a wonderful birthday party with 3 girls and a whole-lotta-princess! She has grown into such a well articulated young lady in the past year. She definitely keeps us honest and let’s nothing slip by. How blessed we are to have had 5 wonderful years with this girl!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby on her birthday, getting ready for her friends to arrive!!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">6.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Noah turned 3 years old</i>-</b> Noah had his third birthday right at the end of the summer on August 18<sup>th</sup>! It was a great finish to a wonderful summer. We spent the day with our families, went to the Paris Fair (an annual rural fair right around the corner from our house) and partied hard until well past 7pm!! Noah is our ‘spirited child’ and the past 3 years have helped us to learn limits, push and expand those limits, and completely shatter preconceived notions of our limits! He is such an unbounded spirit and we are so blessed to have him. We are so grateful to have had 3 glorious years with this boy!!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah blowing out the candles on his cake!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">5.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mike was hired on as a full time employee and given a raise</i>-</b> Mike was hired from a contract position at his company, Toyota Tsusho, to a fulltime position within the Accounting Dept. where he works. Along with being hired, he received his second raise of the year. We are so grateful for the blessings of good employment and are so proud of Mike for the work her does!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgLdC28jjW57j0ewldSVQ4OOqSTi2VkyUxcC41YJmfAmD2xGKAdWAudwcfLyKAxuSGFjMRMi39EnviIRfocs9_D33YRb61wZuKI92_T1Cd9cQ8-yzYUuIFhq1gFFPkUFOYmfLiuwSZQ/s1600/SSA53768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJgLdC28jjW57j0ewldSVQ4OOqSTi2VkyUxcC41YJmfAmD2xGKAdWAudwcfLyKAxuSGFjMRMi39EnviIRfocs9_D33YRb61wZuKI92_T1Cd9cQ8-yzYUuIFhq1gFFPkUFOYmfLiuwSZQ/s320/SSA53768.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike with two of the reasons he goes to work each day <3</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">4.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elias brightened our world with a smile</i>-</b> If you have children in your life, you already know what an amazing blessing a smile crossing the lips of a child is. On April 28<sup>th</sup>, just shy of 2 months old, Elias’ face erupted in the most heartwarming grin we have ever seen. He reminds us daily to take life a little less seriously and to look for the joy in each situation. He is such a happy and delightful baby, and he has truly added such joy to our home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elias' beautiful smile. </td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">3.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mike successfully completed four more courses towards his CGA designation WHILE working fulltime</i>-</b> Mike has been working towards his designation and has been writing papers, completing quizzes, submitting assignments and trudging through final exams all while working 45+ hours/week. He has been an excellent example to our family of diligence and hard work and we are so thankful for the opportunity he is taking to better our family!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdd_a2QrtyFwuVquwvh969z2BCA5tk_YKlNRN2njlGc2nsEEFZ9F0E9BaAUS1Bw7NsZSBRbzYnAAdRvZVpjUIsFPzvuCpcdGimsChl9TPr5LnzeBeAvmzwcWVcMfkAPVKfjc4IwSh6w/s1600/IMG_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdd_a2QrtyFwuVquwvh969z2BCA5tk_YKlNRN2njlGc2nsEEFZ9F0E9BaAUS1Bw7NsZSBRbzYnAAdRvZVpjUIsFPzvuCpcdGimsChl9TPr5LnzeBeAvmzwcWVcMfkAPVKfjc4IwSh6w/s320/IMG_0201.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike home from work, with Abby who is never too far behind!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">2.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Elias Peter Willmott joined our family</i>- </b> On March 4<sup>th</sup>, 2010 at 12:23am, after 12 hours of labour, our laid back third child made his ‘in no hurry’ entrance into our world! By far the longest labour of the three, Elias has proven to be as easy-going as his arrival would indicate. He has fit so obviously into our family and life has never been better! We are amazed daily by him and have had 9 breath-taking months of memories so far and look forward to so many more!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful Willmott boy became a part of our family!!!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18pt;">1.</span> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">We were sealed as a family for time and eternity in the <city w:st="on">Toronto</city>, <state w:st="on">Ontario</state></i> <city w:st="on">Temple</city>-</b> We took our family to the <city w:st="on">Toronto</city>, <state w:st="on">Ontario</state> <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Temple</city></place> on June 17<sup>th</sup>, 2010 (our wedding anniversary) and were sealed together in a ceremony performed by Mike’s grandfather Joseph Willmott. This ceremony performed by those of LDS faith, ensures the continuation of the family unit beyond the grave. We are so thankful for our church and the promises of eternal family. We know that our family exists because our Father in Heaven has granted us the chance to be together and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to thank Him daily for the blessings which have been poured upon us! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XNTJ7KeT4PSqopmRVlCZReYvQQqsj4aAvs5pmHSYbrgGZC9Ywg_ywdbTZRsy9BG2z7mbUY3B1SNWgIBDHn3-a0S14go1hy7OQR8Ekakph_nYVYJklVhZC7bEA1gY3BSzWFNIxrzXbA/s1600/5332_TORONTOCAN_hr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XNTJ7KeT4PSqopmRVlCZReYvQQqsj4aAvs5pmHSYbrgGZC9Ywg_ywdbTZRsy9BG2z7mbUY3B1SNWgIBDHn3-a0S14go1hy7OQR8Ekakph_nYVYJklVhZC7bEA1gY3BSzWFNIxrzXbA/s320/5332_TORONTOCAN_hr.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toronto, Ontario Temple where we were sealed!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As the holiday season surrounds us, we would like to take this opportunity to express our love for you. We are grateful for family and friends and hope that 2011 brings joy and prosper to each of you. May the Lord bless your family with never ending happiness and love. May you smile too much, laugh too hard, sing too loud and dance too long! We love you and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and an extremely Happy New Year.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
A few final moments to remember...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cWN0o9BfYcQwkWX64y32bC-5pOi0B_frMByMJlHThxmoar5ho4dra5bV1ROEOsv_n2hgFmC854emwLVoXuTNPLinaqHGb3mm3magD8f1f_8C6If92jiL7MbFZvV5IB9-te9-P8m8hA/s1600/SSA53021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7cWN0o9BfYcQwkWX64y32bC-5pOi0B_frMByMJlHThxmoar5ho4dra5bV1ROEOsv_n2hgFmC854emwLVoXuTNPLinaqHGb3mm3magD8f1f_8C6If92jiL7MbFZvV5IB9-te9-P8m8hA/s320/SSA53021.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready to increase the size of our family!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia67Yc9pOJpGuZp4VqXOQRy0tB6QU5kAOLKFHZ6b2zHi7Pw77xZGB8MmiHLzZ_n5AhILFv7vEGIs-xvxJvT3gXR0WfAsihi5VsvuTdgI1UkEN3sTgQo45J6v7ncbYZX5nsmCJYO3_T9w/s1600/SSA53018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia67Yc9pOJpGuZp4VqXOQRy0tB6QU5kAOLKFHZ6b2zHi7Pw77xZGB8MmiHLzZ_n5AhILFv7vEGIs-xvxJvT3gXR0WfAsihi5VsvuTdgI1UkEN3sTgQo45J6v7ncbYZX5nsmCJYO3_T9w/s320/SSA53018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going for #3!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_tI2Axve146wKOS7UhpldBBc-c5ZwJQP820wmvv92TSm49chDf3fbWbLrh9dZ0gN0T00kVVzO-MMVy47bCZQ12u0pIpQtyB8vy4eCCNgI0RIilPii9KKH8ZPdnuiV5ut_bzdUjtzMg/s1600/Iphone+DL+Nov+11%252C+2010+179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_tI2Axve146wKOS7UhpldBBc-c5ZwJQP820wmvv92TSm49chDf3fbWbLrh9dZ0gN0T00kVVzO-MMVy47bCZQ12u0pIpQtyB8vy4eCCNgI0RIilPii9KKH8ZPdnuiV5ut_bzdUjtzMg/s320/Iphone+DL+Nov+11%252C+2010+179.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The family at a school fundraiser for Abby's school... yah that's a race car!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXQ-1cmtmTIniUdEBY8EYAIorBubdYYKeRHqRifSxpIqOTlKaVZczl1R7VTC-2t08LiCpSO8wxbKEVbJ2PPf9JFH2AScCljGkw11sPmAaFvnX6jwq_s1o0984EvgeSofGCncrg3bp8w/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXQ-1cmtmTIniUdEBY8EYAIorBubdYYKeRHqRifSxpIqOTlKaVZczl1R7VTC-2t08LiCpSO8wxbKEVbJ2PPf9JFH2AScCljGkw11sPmAaFvnX6jwq_s1o0984EvgeSofGCncrg3bp8w/s320/IMG_0261.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby learns to skate!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaJNIF2y-0UUpej0_WJkXw5tuSk2Z6Crm5ERypFMF3WtNq3-8vGlX37R4lpgJpRKXKmN9FditoncG5vXzf6pPqgTPC9El5aOozJLFmAh6cPF7TPdEtYAyegEF2iTA-oYIBuEAh4p4nw/s1600/IMG_0501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijaJNIF2y-0UUpej0_WJkXw5tuSk2Z6Crm5ERypFMF3WtNq3-8vGlX37R4lpgJpRKXKmN9FditoncG5vXzf6pPqgTPC9El5aOozJLFmAh6cPF7TPdEtYAyegEF2iTA-oYIBuEAh4p4nw/s320/IMG_0501.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby and Noah take swimming lessons!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh7U9IweuANqpsHlDLZpoDiQSI6c2zhYyMn88zi6A93egfW2Xngwf6z-QCYbCM_Zw9lFyaILuCSQwntcRlfM24H9CewVNjLAz6dtGtc6dtMMeo-L5i5zSz9yASAL7V1HKMoTkPRYADw/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh7U9IweuANqpsHlDLZpoDiQSI6c2zhYyMn88zi6A93egfW2Xngwf6z-QCYbCM_Zw9lFyaILuCSQwntcRlfM24H9CewVNjLAz6dtGtc6dtMMeo-L5i5zSz9yASAL7V1HKMoTkPRYADw/s320/IMG_0416.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three is no crowd!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY24pmmxbPM2-J0kb4DJW1LAH1WeXihFaGS2vgH5ojhxoNv1Rv3X72Zs1w_-p_oxLLBs7sAKfDXD0PiSJ_l1MOr3FL2_UXH2w1C-z10pjaAxzSdWiU0-eMyC9YoLbtQqaT6VXI3rHCw/s1600/SSA53026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY24pmmxbPM2-J0kb4DJW1LAH1WeXihFaGS2vgH5ojhxoNv1Rv3X72Zs1w_-p_oxLLBs7sAKfDXD0PiSJ_l1MOr3FL2_UXH2w1C-z10pjaAxzSdWiU0-eMyC9YoLbtQqaT6VXI3rHCw/s320/SSA53026.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching your husband bond with your baby is the purest love there is.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS5YUPeYMKhdKjUiUlIxTgkfvshNi80e8AtBRENwvzE4XGTzIMNRD1JhLO-CIlVA-MJwDgQCZzzwX9JW4enBT3cBMKZpKDc_T1W80KBolpLMYAIlKzQWLBjEfPfJcg2aPNzw5pckYKw/s1600/SSA53901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS5YUPeYMKhdKjUiUlIxTgkfvshNi80e8AtBRENwvzE4XGTzIMNRD1JhLO-CIlVA-MJwDgQCZzzwX9JW4enBT3cBMKZpKDc_T1W80KBolpLMYAIlKzQWLBjEfPfJcg2aPNzw5pckYKw/s640/SSA53901.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas 2010!!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Love from,<br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Mike, Meghan, Abigail, Noah and Elias Willmott</div>It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-46672536547946525192010-11-28T15:46:00.000-08:002010-11-28T15:46:17.979-08:00Through the eyes of our children...If I could just view life through the eyes of my children, I would be able to stay attuned to the Spirit so fully and with such ease. I can't put a number on how many times this week I have heard gasps of breathtaking excitement from the backseat of the van when the words "Christmas, Jesus, reindeer, snowman or Santa" have escaped the mouths of the famous carolers 96.7 plays 24/7 during the holidays.<br />
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Abby, Noah and Mommy were en route to swimming lessons on Saturday during what Noah described as "the first time it ever snowed" and excitement was at its peak. The snow was minimally falling here in Paris (I heard they got a bit more in Cambridge) but there was no shortage of wind so it gave the illusion that we were really in the middle of a great snowfall. Abby and Noah were listing off things they could do when they got outside. Amidst the loud and oftentimes indiscriminate words being shouted I was able to pick out a few. <br />
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"Snow Angels!!" Noah screeched. Abby then responded "There's not enough snow yet, you will have to make grass angels still!!" Then Abby would shout "Eating snow" and Noah would scream "YAH and licking ice". Skating, butt-boganning (a form a tobogganing where you only use a small toboggan which cups your butt, thanks again aunt Kirsten for the name!), snowman, igloo (which I thought was a very worldly substitute for the commonly used 'snow fort'), jumping in snow, smashing snow and snow pants were all heard from the backseat at one time or another. Needless to say, once we arrived at our destination they did all of none of their list, running and whining all the way inside about how wind was blowing too much and the snow hurt their cheeks. Nevertheless I thought about how fortunate I am to be able to relive the small joys I so often pass by now that I have children.<br />
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When we raise children, its almost as though we are given a second chance at childhood in an even more rewarding way; through the eyes of our offspring. Daily I am brought back to special memories of my childhood happiness, silliness, joy and spontaneous carelessness through my children's stories, activities and uninhibited love. I know that I am truly blessed to have had a childhood ripe with so many wonderful memories. This is not the case for many, and to those of you who may exist in that category, as a mother I am deeply sorrowed for that loss. <br />
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As I sat and listened to the joy and anticipation in that conversation between my children, I made a conscious choice in that moment. I am pledging to my children, current and future, to always try my hardest to protect their childhood. To try our best to control what Mike and I allow into our home by ways of media, friends and other revolving doors of influence. To give them the chance to remain innocent long enough to build those memories that are looked back upon and remembered not for the specific details, but for the overwhelming feeling of happiness and joy. I pledge to my children to be a firm but guiding hand to the best of my ability, in leading them through the horrors children face today. <br />
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I pledge to Abigail, to any future daughters, to help her become a woman who understands her worth. To always tell her how she is never merely pretty, but always pretty amazing. I pledge to Noah and Elias, to any future sons, to help them become men. Not to 'be the man' but to be a man who knows the value and power that manhood holds. I pledge to Mike to be a mother to his children. To be a key holder to his most precious box of treasures. To always give precedence to my job as a mother and wife, and to be entrusted to work beside him to help bring our children safely through this life.<br />
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I felt so deeply touched by the Spirit as I sat and listened to the carefree banter of my children in our dirty old car on Saturday morning. I know that life touches us in moments that may seem otherwise unimpressive, so that we might be most receptive to the message therein. It is in the most mundane of moments that we will bring about the most miraculous of changes. Everyday I am grateful for my life, my loves and my Lord and I am so thankful for the clarity of purpose I have gained as I have learnt the gospel.<br />
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I know that this may seem an odd thing to blog about, but I have recently gained a firm belief that when you believe something, you should make it known. I believe in the sanctity and purpose of motherhood and fatherhood and I am so grateful for the chance I have been entrusted with to raise and protect my three sweet children. <br />
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We have had a wonderfully joyous beginning to a truly magical season and it is with great hope that I wish you all happiness throughout the holidays!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQZW9NEJFDvrCm4z6BM7tjhMXR4rVMoqijOElK7xc1uhQ05JfX_brDu1Semw1GbjgcVII7p-bMoyZ_QTamjvj82EdLnLNJpeh5Dm3tFIET9mPUSYkwiyJo5YDodJrbkp4T_NyUocXbA/s1600/kiddos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQZW9NEJFDvrCm4z6BM7tjhMXR4rVMoqijOElK7xc1uhQ05JfX_brDu1Semw1GbjgcVII7p-bMoyZ_QTamjvj82EdLnLNJpeh5Dm3tFIET9mPUSYkwiyJo5YDodJrbkp4T_NyUocXbA/s640/kiddos.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love and Joy... and possibly a few tears!!</td></tr>
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Love from the Willmotts!It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-89195439563916783322010-11-21T18:57:00.000-08:002010-11-21T19:06:41.729-08:00Baloon Fairies, Fish Restaurants and Birthday Parties!<u>The Balloon Fairy</u><br />
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Well our little Abigoo turned 5 this past week! She was born on Sunday November 19th, 2005 at 7:09 pm and in a matter of hours (she was the 'good' labour) we went from the promise of parenthood to immediate realization of the immensity of our new life. We have had 5 glorious years with this little lady and although we've been tried and tested at times (yes we know we 'ain't seen nothing yet') we have had the absolute time of our lives!<br />
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Two years ago when Abby turned 3, we started a little tradition in our home. Once our birthday girl or boy hits the sack for the night, and it is clear beyond a reasonable doubt that they are in fact actually sleeping (not just faking, as I admit we have fallen victim to), the BALLOON FAIRY makes a special birthday visit to the birthday child's room. She brings with her many, many, many balloons of various colours, sizes, and shapes and fills the floor surrounding the bed! When our kids wake in the morning they are greeted with a rainbow of balloons to kick and bat their way through when running to wake us up. They have really started to expect this little visit from the fairy (who by the way is pretty cute) and get quite excited for the days of fun 700 balloons provide until they either pop or shrivel up into nasty little 'elderly' balloons. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIBJ8hrnKVWHF8Cf3ktYKuG_p5HG62NzntLFRHY13LrPvRSiSALOvWmdIU2iMllQg96aX7ZPMyCqKC2jSstDLvvnZ5qjjEwlKgbmjGkcC_V8MnUoG66GGj2p8O3_sBfZ6Uro0EFFctg/s1600/Picture+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIBJ8hrnKVWHF8Cf3ktYKuG_p5HG62NzntLFRHY13LrPvRSiSALOvWmdIU2iMllQg96aX7ZPMyCqKC2jSstDLvvnZ5qjjEwlKgbmjGkcC_V8MnUoG66GGj2p8O3_sBfZ6Uro0EFFctg/s320/Picture+057.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balloon Madness</td></tr>
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This picture really does not do justice to how many balloons were actually in her room (the majority had made it out into the hall from all the kicking) but you get the gist of it. This year Abby was having a few girls over for an 'un-sleepover' party. She wanted to set up sleeping bags and pillows in our unfinished basement (cuz it's spooky down there she says) and watch Barbie Fashion Fairytale. So not only did the Balloon Fairy (yes I totally feel her name should be capitalized) balloonerize her room, she also got busy in the spooky basement too. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEonmxjhgbkzgFORZgRwA2DOT4lY2RVJfbkQNm35RNscAK5iF9Rn9UeDiFSm8KRIR4oxpjujY5nVAeJ9yhUJ_YhETDLhyphenhyphenrGeZXY8eUMxeHqOyhxsis8r1JYIM6fs2pC95Gc8YU7lE8cg/s1600/Picture+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEonmxjhgbkzgFORZgRwA2DOT4lY2RVJfbkQNm35RNscAK5iF9Rn9UeDiFSm8KRIR4oxpjujY5nVAeJ9yhUJ_YhETDLhyphenhyphenrGeZXY8eUMxeHqOyhxsis8r1JYIM6fs2pC95Gc8YU7lE8cg/s320/Picture+054.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby with her new baseball bat and ball from Daddy!</td></tr>
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So ends the tale of 'The Balloon Fairy Visits the Willmotts'. Although she may experience a dull ache in her jawline for a full two days after her visit, she really feels it's worth it! How quickly we can forget the simple childhood joy balloons bring. Maybe you too should wish for a visit from the Balloon Fairy??! <br />
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<u>The Fish Restaurant</u><br />
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When Noah turned 3 we asked him what he wanted for his birthday dinner and he replied "happy meals" so it was off to McDonald's for a gourmet dinner we went. So when we asked Abby what she wanted, she defaulted to "happy meals" also. We were preparing for another night out at the Paris McDonald's when a few days before her birthday as I tucked Abby in, she made a new request.<br />
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She said to me "Mama I don't want to have a crabby patty (aka cheeseburger from mcd's) for my birthday. I REALLY want to go to like a fancy place". To which I replied "ok where is this fancy place". Abby then said "I want to go to you know, that restaurant where all the fish live, and you get to go up and get YOUR OWN food?". It took me only a second to realize what she meant was the Mandarin. Haha fancy pants for sure! So we quickly agreed since a lunch at the Mandarin is actually less expensive than a family meal at the world renowned McDonald's. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLR299iqpZpfzpY1aTu6JRwauWziL2UUZcAe3mafKEj2_IM8UhYT_fQL8OY5kRqur-IkjQUVZyvx_v-8oEeJiZoVllv5GhB3CjG17QKLRoBa4VUd3_z9-t144paXqZRgJHEyWwrWrow/s1600/efjkfl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLR299iqpZpfzpY1aTu6JRwauWziL2UUZcAe3mafKEj2_IM8UhYT_fQL8OY5kRqur-IkjQUVZyvx_v-8oEeJiZoVllv5GhB3CjG17QKLRoBa4VUd3_z9-t144paXqZRgJHEyWwrWrow/s320/efjkfl.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They get so excited about these festive airbags!!</td></tr>
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We met Mike on the Wednesday before her birthday for lunch at "the fish restaurant" and had a fun little birthday meal with our kids. Abby had a great time because Mike let her pick her own food, Noah loved that his water never "got empty", giggling each time our poor server topped him up, and Elias ate Cheerios!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIiw6E1MORbx0DGESSss8Vn6aJ2C05dhT6Mef3Za2pDr6X2hhnMgbGZcbYJroVKieSuLyIhP2nUQY3FxIQO7jG1REazH7c4hCX8EV36P_s9QbQNtZivPASY-73ak-aHPcN1mqvbLl-A/s1600/kk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIiw6E1MORbx0DGESSss8Vn6aJ2C05dhT6Mef3Za2pDr6X2hhnMgbGZcbYJroVKieSuLyIhP2nUQY3FxIQO7jG1REazH7c4hCX8EV36P_s9QbQNtZivPASY-73ak-aHPcN1mqvbLl-A/s320/kk.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids at our table... so happy about the view ahah</td></tr>
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We sang happy birthday to Abby and she got to blow out a candle. The kids laughed and giggled as the fish in the ponds swam close to their boots, and Elias tried so hard to grab the fish that were swimming in the tank behind our table. We had such a great lunch and were totally thankful to Abby for going all fancy on us! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPw03WDRihgcZZznfhsRTlzZHwt_Q-YoHi9FDxYJDVh6l60t1mTvuNh5jrcjY752UvvKrDVJIoZHebHiF3cfcfH3dcXOFTPgAx3dmm4Aecou3JYXIUIWaS8cHqtfpJiE2TWg7kKqnEhA/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPw03WDRihgcZZznfhsRTlzZHwt_Q-YoHi9FDxYJDVh6l60t1mTvuNh5jrcjY752UvvKrDVJIoZHebHiF3cfcfH3dcXOFTPgAx3dmm4Aecou3JYXIUIWaS8cHqtfpJiE2TWg7kKqnEhA/s320/photo.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby's little cake <3</td></tr>
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<u>A</u><u>bby's PARTAY!</u><br />
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Abby was fortunate enough to have her party on her actual birthday this year (which she thought was 'sweet'). She invited three girls, her cousin Lexi, her friend from church Sariah, and her friend from school Victoria, and as I mentioned had an 'un-sleepover'. If you were thinking 'what is that' I will explain. Abby has been talking about sleepovers lately and we aren't very comfortable with the idea of our children sleeping over anywhere, so we decided to have a half-sleepover. We had the girls bring their pjs, they watched a late movie, until the wee hour of 10 pm (plenty late for 5-6 yr olds) and then I drove the girls home. Abby loved setting up sleeping bags and pillows. We ate dinner, painted nails, had cupcakes, played 'Fashion Barbies', coloured pictures and watched a Barbie movie. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyFSLz4q9n5jbE2ujW5gRfIVnbqFNDvGI07ydcDRAfeIuXKUAX95eqnglIJ5ZsnrAaKlA-kGH2aJzTWW1Qdfo8Wf5iDf23l8Btovq6pxZRsVDvt1vf9MwxkYd6_iIEhFpyQgBEpihdg/s1600/Picture+127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyFSLz4q9n5jbE2ujW5gRfIVnbqFNDvGI07ydcDRAfeIuXKUAX95eqnglIJ5ZsnrAaKlA-kGH2aJzTWW1Qdfo8Wf5iDf23l8Btovq6pxZRsVDvt1vf9MwxkYd6_iIEhFpyQgBEpihdg/s320/Picture+127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noah, Abby, Sariah, Lexi and Victoria</td></tr>
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Abby asked for Barbies and 'girl toys' this year which was pretty cute because up until now she's been pretty neutral when it comes to gender specific toys. Although she is enjoying her newly discovered inner princess, she still keeps it real with a healthy love for playing basketball, baseball, football and the occasional game of 'Don't you Dare Mess With Me' (she describes it as a "game where we TUSSLE daddy!!") haha!<br />
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I made Abby a sign for her birthday this year and we had a great time picking out gift purses for her friends. Abby has such cute ideas and she's really developing a little flair for fashion!! lol<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoT3hJoImszQvFlsLtDYB-DEgIu85oEOBymMSWeMm1yAmuZj-fcbiRI33ghrKwxvyn7cIqNQKLelvJaohG9mM1ar50-qOqgyPYJrjpQSjtgqpNPNgIDY26JINYKKmvETmuJI3mnRey-A/s1600/Picture+070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoT3hJoImszQvFlsLtDYB-DEgIu85oEOBymMSWeMm1yAmuZj-fcbiRI33ghrKwxvyn7cIqNQKLelvJaohG9mM1ar50-qOqgyPYJrjpQSjtgqpNPNgIDY26JINYKKmvETmuJI3mnRey-A/s200/Picture+070.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy birthday sign</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abby with her gift purses</td></tr>
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All in all Abby had a wonderful 5th birthday! She reports that she was sung happy birthday a total of seven times, and got so many beautiful presents. She now has a new pair of 'sparkle' shoes from Grandma and Grandpa, has been drawing train tracks and roads 'to Walmart' on our driveway with 3D sidewalk chalk from Nanny and Grandpa, plays Zhu Zhu pets tirelessly with Noah, and has more Barbies and makeup from her friends and Aunts than I have ever owned in my life!! Thank you to all our wonderful families and friends for making a special girl's special day so extremely SPECIAL!!! Happy 5th birthday to our Abigail, we love you more than any blog post could possibly ever express.<br />
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Love from the WillmottsIt's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-89746876805354733962010-11-14T13:22:00.000-08:002010-11-14T13:28:44.370-08:00Do we live with the Grinch??!Now I will first start by apologizing for not posting last week! I have heard from a few people that our posts have been missed. Yay! Good to know I'm not just writing to myself here. <br />
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But now I have some serious business to conduct. We are in the middle of a Willmott war here, and the catalyst was a display of Christmas snowglobes. I personally feel that it is none too soon to start decorating the house for Christmas on the exact day I take down the Halloween decorations (which is always Nov 1st). Mike on the other hand, feels that any decorating in November is just ridiculous and all our poor little snowmen and santas should stay boxed away until, absolute earliest, Dec 1st. Every other year I have been able to squeeze out the Christmas decorations by mid-November simply stating that Abby wants them up for her family birthday party (her bday is on Nov. 19). This year however, we aren't having a big family gathering for Abby since she is having a real friend birthday party on Friday, so I'm looking to all of you for convincing HELP!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike Willmott</td></tr>
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Last week I subtly started (or so I thought) to break out the decorations with a few gorgeous snowglobes. My mom gets the kids a new snowglobe each year and they are all stunningly beautiful. Silver and black with sparkling snow and a different carol to be heard from each. They are the EXACT depiction of Christmas through the eyes of a child. We spend so much time taking "gentle snow turns" on the couch, shaking, winding, and singing to the music box tunes of the carols. To our kids they are simple treasures of extraordinary joy. So I brought them out of safe storage last week, displayed them discretely and assumed that Mike would overlook them (since he has been known to not even offer a nod of acknowledgement when I paint his dressers, night tables, a wall, CUT MY HAIR grrr etc). But he walked in the door, gave hugs and kisses to the army of flailing bodies at his waist and promptly faced the snowglobes exclaiming with finger sternly pointed, "WHAT ARE THOSE?"<br />
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My response was a lousy "THAAAAT you notice??" To which he responded "December first Meghan!" Then something along the lines of "blah blah bleeeeeehhhhh blahdiddy bleb blahb bloooobbb we gotta BOTH agree blahaab blah". So it is now November 14th, and we are FAST approaching the exact middle of November. I have 6 snowglobes displayed, one wreath leaning weakly against the wall, waiting patiently for his moment to hang proudly, a string of outdoor lights lining the roof of our house aching to be plugged in, and a whole crap load of boxed decorations in the basement crying and weeping so loudly to be let out that they sometimes keep me up at night!!! Mike just doesn't understand. So I am pleading with you ALL to help! Please oh please wont you weigh in on this "decorating in November debacle". Comment on this post, tell us what you think. If you don't want to create a username thing to comment then comment on the link on my facebook page!!! I know that together we can convince Mike that Santa really does exist and he most certainly brings better presents if you decorate your house NOW!! The spirit of Christmas is expecting exactly 40 days of decorated homes to dwell in. And that there is NOTHING wrong with being that house on the street that turns their lights on in November!! I know you all believe this, and if you don't agree, well comment anyway because Mike needs a few pity votes! <br />
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They err who thinks Santa Claus comes down through the chimney; he really enters through the heart." <br />
<i>~ Mrs. Paul M. Ell.</i> <br />
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It truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas!!!<br />
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Love from the WillmottsIt's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-33601147925553796382010-10-31T20:31:00.000-07:002010-10-31T20:31:37.040-07:00I knew about sleep-walking...A quick post on my last 10 mins... I was laying in bed getting ready for sleep to overtake me, when the door beside our room screeched open (one of the few times I'm thankful that Mike still hasn't wd40'd that sucker). I expected to see Noah run across the hall (as he does on average 3-4 times per night) and flick on the bathroom light sending a blinding stream into our room, but nothing happened. I waited. Still nothing. I thought maybe he had gone back to bed and then I heard a sound I couldn't quite place. It was a soft, streaming, padding sound. It contemplated it for a few seconds trying to place it, until it hit me. Once I placed it I was up and running. It was pee. The sound was pee hitting the carpet. I arrived at Noah's door and he was standing pantless in front of a puddle of fresh urine. He looked at me and lazily smiled. He was definetly still asleep. I asked him if he still had to pee and grabbed his hand to take him to the bathroom. He pulled away, smiled again and said, "nope, I'm done." Then he walked to his bed, climbed in, and promptly fell asleep. <br />
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Now that the puddle has been thoroughly soaked up and sprayed and disinfected and febreezed... I am going to resume my efforts to sleep. I do however leave a small warning with you, beware of sleep-peeing. It sounds like a blast, but it's not as much fun as it's hyped up to be.<br />
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Love from the WillmottsIt's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-69345808039383025742010-10-31T18:46:00.000-07:002010-10-31T18:46:10.032-07:00Trunk or Treat... Halloween 2010!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ApvNeMvhBlcgLSHFlgVxN2yrWcIptj2WdzMWFUiydx-_mbR2RGURQpcGYhnzwF-kve6G8IWR1mLMdo02uSUacpJ9CbXkUvXBmoknFj_4DZAR0kg514SXN4ieb15BQbAoJhyphenhyphengO6T6xw/s1600/SSA53810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ApvNeMvhBlcgLSHFlgVxN2yrWcIptj2WdzMWFUiydx-_mbR2RGURQpcGYhnzwF-kve6G8IWR1mLMdo02uSUacpJ9CbXkUvXBmoknFj_4DZAR0kg514SXN4ieb15BQbAoJhyphenhyphengO6T6xw/s320/SSA53810.JPG" width="320" /></a>Halloween is an extremely fun holiday full of such traumatic traditions! This year my Dad and Mom came over Saturday morning and carved pumpkins and made treats with the kids. For as long as I can remember, my Dad has carved the pumpkins in our family and has always taken such joy in the chance to absolutely scare the pants off of us. So with no exception, this year he took out his sadistic 'tradition' on our poor children :)! This is how the tradition plays out: He lifts the lid off the pumpkin making a big to-do about all the 'guts' coming out. Once the children are nice and intrigued by the graphic nature of what's happening, he will take out a handful of guts and toss it down in disgust. The next handful is PUUUULLLED out while moaning and groaning about how hard it is to get out. By now the kids are intensely quiet and concentrating quite hard on the task. The third handful is REALLY stuck... SO stuck. He pulls and pulls and usually one poor child (Abby this year) gets up on their knees and ventures a look inside. And that's when... he SCREAMS... shaking and desperately trying to pull his arm out of the pumpkin as some unknown force pulls back from within. This was usually the point at which at least one of us as kids would book it out of the garage, kitchen, dining room, wherever we were. This year poor Noah looked like he was going to soil himself, Abigail startled then laughed like crazy and poor baby Elias started screaming from the loud noise. Thoroughly please with the result my Dad stopped once Mom told him to "CUT IT OUT!" Mike laughed, and well I videotaped it. I'm so grateful for parents who are intent on continuing tradition! LOL!!</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This year because Hallow e'en was on a Sunday, we celebrated at our church on the Saturday night instead! We had what's called a "Trunk or Treat" and it was AWESOME!! This is how it worked, everyone dresses up, decorates the trunk of their vehicle, and then we all gather in the parking lot of the church. The kids trick or treated around the parking lot from trunk to trunk and collected more candy than we would have endured on a regular Hallow e'en and all in a fraction of the time!! Afterwards we all went inside the church where a committee of very talented members had decorated the gym. We had snacks, games and of course dancing and enjoyed a fun, safe and exciting Hallow e'en night with the kids!</div><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It took a lot of convincing on Noah's part but we finally got him to agree to make his face "look dead". When he first saw my makeup he cried and tried to cower into Mike, who just pushed him, flailing and screaming, closer to me. I guess this sadistic 'enjoy your child's misery' characteristic is quite normal amongst fathers?!?! But regardless of our initial set back, Noah did eventually put his dead face on!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigU3SnRz0L4pCyp2HgXmwu-DP_8vYcQo3ajDsZetXNnTOliJqi_OMVRiip0fEYL6IiQvRR_kEwPTu_KCpdwHH4Wxcn3e_EtzgHqASa063WvL6xmLUXUwHtmRxBKUXel-5XnS8PePQLMg/s1600/SSA53862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigU3SnRz0L4pCyp2HgXmwu-DP_8vYcQo3ajDsZetXNnTOliJqi_OMVRiip0fEYL6IiQvRR_kEwPTu_KCpdwHH4Wxcn3e_EtzgHqASa063WvL6xmLUXUwHtmRxBKUXel-5XnS8PePQLMg/s200/SSA53862.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Abigail invited two friends from school so we had a full van. Although Abby was the one to invite her friends, it was Noah who stole the attention as he danced and romanced his way into Abby's friend's arms! What a funny kid! </div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Abby ended up winning a prize for the spookiest costume and she got a ribbon! She was so proud of herself! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkeZz3dpvWra9MdjFkxVN3qn1GOPdhRyRjx_sdDJv5NVqOqCvyzDG3vUA_7dk_B7uVAByjaMCH8yTzgUN_9z68kHx_SitjyJIPf7iSKl6dfl8H0E_c_CPNfpNWY68Uam_vIl2WXcxNw/s1600/SSA53871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkeZz3dpvWra9MdjFkxVN3qn1GOPdhRyRjx_sdDJv5NVqOqCvyzDG3vUA_7dk_B7uVAByjaMCH8yTzgUN_9z68kHx_SitjyJIPf7iSKl6dfl8H0E_c_CPNfpNWY68Uam_vIl2WXcxNw/s200/SSA53871.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Aunt Rachel and Chris came too. The kids were pumped about that! Their costumes were ridiculously funny. They dressed up as Tetris pieces and fit themselves together quite perfectly for some great photo-ops. If that's not true love, I don't know what is!! Bahah!!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZrGw7ZbBsNJeS0r585z37Q8M6QsSc7Ux2tGGj8yihJZOuGgeSZGxgNMfIh5KSfZaQOeFyGZhkPFUN8EDE0i0SGIKyr4RV4eIs8aCUMaoC7Tuhf-Md6W0jeugK9Sme7xvYfgDL-7YbQ/s1600/SSA53841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeZrGw7ZbBsNJeS0r585z37Q8M6QsSc7Ux2tGGj8yihJZOuGgeSZGxgNMfIh5KSfZaQOeFyGZhkPFUN8EDE0i0SGIKyr4RV4eIs8aCUMaoC7Tuhf-Md6W0jeugK9Sme7xvYfgDL-7YbQ/s200/SSA53841.JPG" width="200" /></a>It was a great night. I'm not sure whether it was more fun for the kids or the adults, but either way, it was a BLAST!! We hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween!!! </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IdCJA5Zr8e4kJCZ93J9EiWv8LmfrHILq0XYUwSbUhPHWifFCPavMsB3yne7hA-poBQFrpto7G399iOB-eP7p8DrJpMaU2xN8R4rSCP119OS7NkX-sN2UaQj67AfPLYE8X3npcYkY6g/s1600/SSA53874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6IdCJA5Zr8e4kJCZ93J9EiWv8LmfrHILq0XYUwSbUhPHWifFCPavMsB3yne7hA-poBQFrpto7G399iOB-eP7p8DrJpMaU2xN8R4rSCP119OS7NkX-sN2UaQj67AfPLYE8X3npcYkY6g/s200/SSA53874.JPG" width="150" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Love from the Willmotts</div><img height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2tpvkkUtOjEtB4zrEnOAXRlq-upwmPfLNAI0G32uHXwgDyhHQujB54F6nDwZC70lJfbOOV0uzBjBxJJuJtDEPPX6oTICQaAn_ioNJZmNHVb1k5emlV0ONYyC4qK_hUZStCUsVr-AoQA/s200/SSA53827.JPG" style="filter: alpha(opacity=30); left: 568px; mozopacity: 0.3; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 527px; visibility: hidden;" width="96" />It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-66903198469057773512010-10-24T19:06:00.000-07:002010-11-15T21:38:41.174-08:00Sunday, Sunday, Family FUNday!!Look at this! Less than four days later and I'm writing another entry. GREATNESS...<br />
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Abigail had her primary presentation at Church today and her line was "Jesus understands when I am sad". She had been practicing it all week, so confident in her ability and extremely happy with her role. She told us that the first time she got up in an earlier practice to say it, she said this "Jesus understands when HE is sad" then she told us "But that's not right". So I then asked well what did your teacher say? To which she replied "She said nope wrong, so I said it the right way". So practice, practice, practice she went. However today when she stood up to say her line, it came out more like this "Jesus understands when I am SICK". I could see her small face contort into a look I often get from her which I believe roughly translates into "whatchu talkin' bout". I also noticed her ever so slightly shrug her little shoulders before she spoke into the microphone. But I must say, her little impromptu change really spiced up the show for me. When I asked her later why she changed it again, she told me "The girl who whispers my part to me said sick, so I whispered no sad, and she said no sick, so I did what she said because she says I can't read it, but really I can." I told her it was wonderful and internally laughed at her awesome obedience to the instructions she's given. We got about five hundred waves from her as she sat upfront and about three thousand forced little angel smiles. It was heartwarmingly (which spell check has kindly pointed out is NOT a word) adorable to watch! I am so extremely grateful to have our children in a program that allows for us to witness these precious moments!<br />
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Today we started our first week of Sundays without TV. Mike and I decided that in all that we've been doing to keep the sabbath day holy (going to church, not shopping, family scripture study etc. etc.) it maybe still didn't feel like we were accomplishing the level of sanctity in our home that the Lord expects. So, we evaluated our Sundays and came up with two things that had to go. One is that we have decided not to watch TV anymore on Sundays. For Mike this is a HUGE deal because he will now miss the majority of his football games (very very sad) haha. The second is that we have decided that we should no longer use Sundays as a day to get in a workout. Now this one was a HUGE deal to me as I enjoy running and tend to use it as a way to relax. This second sacrifice came about as Mike so kindly pointed out that if we were deciding that we shouldn't merely 'watch' sports events, then surely we shouldn't be 'participating' in any. I struggled for a short while to find a plausible argument to his logic but the only thing I could come up with was something along the lines of "umm shut up?!" Not the strongest argument, so regrettably at first, I agreed to forgo my Sunday runs in an effort to strengthen our sabbath day.<br />
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We are now at the end of the 'day without TV and running' and I must say it was an extremely peaceful, restful, hushed and happy day. Abigail and Noah played happily (minus the small fights), we had a fire and roasted marshmallows after dinner, Elias napped peacefully, and mommy napped too!! HUGE success! <br />
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Now the day wasn't perfect all around. There was that one incident... Allow me to quickly explain Noah's little mishap of the afternoon before I end this post. After we came in from roasting marshmallows, Noah disappeared downstairs to take one of his infamous 30 minute 'washroom breaks'. I could hear him chatting away to himself, or playing with the toys he has stashed beside the potty, And then I hear dreaded potty words: "DAAAAADDY come down, it's all over the place", "DAAAADDY it exploded". Now Mike was NOT going to go down there so I mentally prepared myself for the absolute worst. I trudged down the stairs expecting to see maybe poop on the floors? Walls? Toys way down at the bottom of the toilet bowl that I have often had to fish out with my hand? But shockingly Noah was standing in the middle of the bathroom pants down south, with tiny pieces of birdseed on every inch of his little body. It was in his hair, all over his shoulders, his feet were covered and it was stuck to his bum. I was a little taken aback by the situation. Oddly enough not because of the birdseed, but mostly because I felt super <em>relieved</em> that it was ONLY birdseed. I guess Noah had grabbed the container of birdseed we keep in the backyard before heading down to the potty and had somehow ripped the 'childproof' top off creating a birdseed explosion. He was quite pleased that the number 2 he had done in the potty was now "hiding under the bird food" as he so eloquently stated. So I had a really weird talk with him about how playing with birdseed while pooping (or at anytime I guess) is not such a great idea, shook him off, and cleaned that birdseed right on up. It was an interesting end to an otherwise calm and happy day!<br />
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The last thing that I will add is that Elias cut two teeth on the top today! Two in the bottom and two on the top, such a big kid now, and a precious little cutie!!<br />
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Happy Sunday to all!!<br />
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Love from the WillmottsIt's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1048216995450499446.post-25722617337424122322010-10-21T08:12:00.000-07:002010-10-21T08:12:33.562-07:00The world of blogging??!?Well I have decided to start a blog! I decided months ago to start journaling because I keep feeling like I'm losing precious memories daily, BUT I have sucessfully completed about three entries. Horrible!! So I thought since I'm so current and cool, I would blog instead. It's so much easier to include pictures this way (because we all know that actual hard copies of pictures are just ridiculous)! <br />
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So here we are, the world of Willmott. All internet-y and stuff!! With any luck and much persistance, I will post more often on here than I write in my journal. <br />
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Here's to many posts of many memories for many years!<br />
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<3It's a Willmott world!http://www.blogger.com/profile/08205032509827148478noreply@blogger.com0