Christmas

I love Christmas and I'd say it's pretty safe to say that the kids love it as well. I love the hype and anticipation of waiting for Christmas mourning to see what will be under the tree. I love to see all the smiles from ripping open the presents and moving onto the next  And then once all the presents are open its time to play! The house is just a plain mess for hours, that's about how long I can handle the mess, and then we get ready and head of to Nanna's and Grandpa's house for breakfast/lunch.

And, we had a white Christmas!

I have to add as the Christmas season started on the 1st of December we went to a nativity scene and I loved it. I cried because the spirit was so strong, I think it was the singing that got me. I love Silent Night. 

Spending time with Dad

Isaac wanted to do some whittling with Dad for his "spending time with Dad" and if you can't tell from the photos but it looks like he loved it.

These kids have such a great daddy!

They are all growing up

You know they say how quickly they grow. It really is true. Gabe and Bryn are now 12 & 13...teenagers. They are into all things teenagerish. They have such a special love/hate relationship and I just needed to capture them together at this moment.

Love these kids to pieces

Every night when Dad and I go to bed we talk about how AWESOME you kids are. All the goods things you have done for the day or even the accomplishments you have made. We want you guys to know that you are so loved.

(by the way, not sure how to write this blog in 1st person or 2nd or 3rd but hopefully the point gets across).

Blessed

Today I sit here looking up news feeds to see if I can find out any more details about the Gunman who killed 20 kids ranging from 6 to 7 and 6 adults who must have been in his way.

I read one story of a Hero (Victoria Soto, 27) who put all her students in the cabinets and told the shooter they were in the gym and then he shot and killed her. She is a Hero she saved their lives. After reading her story I found all the names of the victims and there ages. I'm so thankful to have my little Isaac, who is 6, still with us here today. I can't get over how scared those kids would have been. I hope the children that saw what they did will be able to be okay and those that lost their loved ones will be assured with peace thru our Heavenly Father in some way that they will be blessed to see them again or to have peace with their loss.

Not only am I blessed to have Isaac here but the rest of my children. I love them SO MUCH!!

I found this poem & photo today about all the children and brought me peace.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

The Wake Up

Beckam will usually knock on the door when he first gets up in the morning, so that he can be unleashed. Well, this morning was a special one. He had no PJ's on and no diaper. His bed was soaked with pee. My first thoughts were he must have been freezing all night and I felt bad not knowing he was naked. Poor little guy.

Later on he decided to spray his go-gurt all over his bedroom wall. While cleaning that up I put him in the bath and then he dumps all the water out of the tub. Later he dumps his milk all over the table. I was tired by then and got a little mad and then he says to Elyse. "Mom, is so mean."

**I'm laughing now that its all over.

My Friend

The last few months have been a whirlwind of emotions I had a close friend pass away unexpectedly, he took his own life, I'm so sad that he's gone. I thought I would just post his obituary that his wife wrote about him because she says it best. I will really miss Jason he was truly a good man.




Jason Crowther
Husband and Father
Saratoga Springs, UT-Jason Bjornn Crowther, age 34, passed away on November 12, 2012. He was born on May 22, 1978 in Provo to Bruce and Cathy Crowther. He served an LDS mission to Frankfurt Germany from 2001-2003. He married his "girl" on October 17, 2003 in the Boise Idaho Temple. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The very first thing that attracted me to Jason was how genuine and generous he was. Always there for people. He probably would've been a rich man if he wouldn't have spent his money on everyone else. It made him so happy to buy people things. As a bachelor he loved taking groups of people out to dinner and paying the whole bill. As a dad and husband he loved buying his boys treats at the gas station. He loved bringing me home surprises. Pajama pants, purses, jackets, chocolate, gardening gloves, laundry baskets. Everything and anything. He loved it. When we found out we were having our first child and that it was a boy, Jason was so excited. Especially to name him Bjorn. Such a special name. Then we were blessed with two more boys and I don't know if there ever was a more happy, proud, daddy. Each time we found out we were having a son, he was on top of the world. They brought him more joy than anything. I asked my boys to tell me some of their favorite things about their dad. And this is their list. Playing with him, buying donuts, snuggling with him, buying treats, going to the gas station, playing catch, playing with Walker, buying iPods for us. He had a special bond with each boy. He drove Bjorn to school every day. Even though he could never leave on time and made Bjorn tardy every day, I appreciated him wanting to have that time with his son. Bjorn loved snuggling with dad on the couch and talking or playing on his iPod. He loved when Jason would tell him stories. He loved Jason and truly knew he had a cool dad. Isaac never let Jason leave without a couple hugs, 10 million "I love you's", knuckles, high fives, and still he would cry when dad left and say "I need to give dad a hug!" He would settle for calling him and telling him "I love you." He made it clear that he loved his dad. He adored him. Little Walker lit up any time he saw Jason or heard his voice. I never even tried to hold him if Jason was around because it was no use. He wanted his daddy. He would sit on the bathroom floor in the morning and watch Jason get ready. Walker melted Jasons heart. Jason sure knew how to treat a girl. He always made sure I was comfortable and had what I needed. He would rub my feet every night. He made me feel like I was the worlds greatest chef because he would take a picture of the dinners I made and send it to his friends. He always thanked me for the way I kept the house and took care of the kids. He always let me know how he felt. I loved feeling loved. Jason loved his business. He was so personable and wanted to do everything to make people happy. He had a way with people. They automatically felt connected and comfortable with him. People would share their life stories with him. I would tease him about being a therapist on the side. He had that comfy couch in his office and people felt connected to him. He loved it. I would joke with him about all his "photographer girlfriends". You all made his business what it was and I'm forever grateful. Jason loved his mom and 5 sisters. He had a special way with them. They made him into the man that he was. Sensitive, kind, loving, generous, hardworking, observant, nurturing, full of compliments, good friend, affectionate. A down right good man. He is deeply loved and will be missed more than words can say. The world will not be the same. We are grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that teaches us that families can be forever. This earth life is a small moment. We will see him again. I know it. We will live our life to honor him and show our love to him. He was adored by many nieces and nephews who looked up to him and cherished their time with him. He is survived by his wife Amy Crowther, his 3 sons Bjorn Bruce Crowther, Isaac Neil Crowther, and Walker Jason Crowther. His mother Cathy Crowther and his five sisters Kim (Ian) Erickson, Jen (Rich) Tolman, Tonya Lloyd, Tiffany (Chad) Campbell and Kristen (Jake) McMichael. He was preceded in death by his Father Bruce Bjornn Crowther. A viewing will be held Sunday November 18, 2012 from 6:00-8:00 pm at the Harvest Hills 5th Ward Chapel. 2101 N. Providence Dr. Saratoga Springs, UT 84045. The funeral will be held on Monday November 19,2012 at 11:00 am with a viewing at 10:00 am at the Harvest Hills 5th Ward Chapel. 2101 N. Providence Dr. Saratoga Springs, UT 84045. Interment will be held at Wasatch Lawn Memorial 3401 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City Utah. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Amy Crowther Donation account at Zions Bank, Jason Crowther Memorial Fund at US Bank, or via paypal at jasoncrowtherfund@yahoo.com. Our deepest thanks to all who have contributed, helped, reached out, and loved our family at this time. We are forever thankful.

I think the hardest part for me is understanding why he had to leave. I've never had anyone close to me take their life and so its been a little tough for me to understand. 
I had know idea he was suffering from depression. He always had a smile on his face, always. 
I also did their family photos at the beginning of September they were hanging out, laughing and joking around, smiling like we always do and then 2 months later he's gone. As time passes it gets easier to deal with it but since I worked with him with my clients I'm reminded about him daily because they want prints...where do I send them now?! He was the best and took really good care of my clients too. 
I'm excited for the day that we will meet again, laugh and talk about the silly pictures that you'd get and all that good stuff. I'm thankful to have known such a good man and now I have another good friend, his wife Amy, she has been amazing thru all of this and has been a great example to me.

Snow Days

This winter has given us so many snow days. And why not enjoy the snow with a photo shoot since I don't ski I'll just set up a session with a willing model.