25 Weeks 5 Days

I figured it was probably that time again, where I should set aside time to give everyone a little update on our growing family. I've been able to reflect a little bit the last few weeks, especially when I hit the 23 week mark for this pregnancy. Surprisingly I have realized that I have been given so much over the past few years. I have been watched over, blessed, and have met people who have been so good to have in my life. Focusing on all the things I've been given has helped me through all the little milestones with this little girl growing inside of me. It has not been easy, we've had a few scares, and I'm pretty sure I have PTSD from all that I've gone through, but through it all, the blessings have not ceased. We've seen haven's hand in so much of our hard times as well as in our good times. I am forever thankful for the knowledge I have of a loving heavenly father and His wonderful plan of salvation.

25 weeks! I made it!

24 Weeks!

A couple weeks ago, I had a very rough day. It was the day I was 23 weeks pregnant. Almost 2 years ago I was 23 weeks pregnant with my sweet baby quadruplet girls. I woke up in the middle of the night having painful contractions and the next 4 days were the hardest I had yet to experience. I often think of those days with my 1lb baby girls in the hospital and the precious time I had with them here on earth. The circumstances were not ideal and any outcome was going to be hard to take. I would never want to go through that again, but life has a way of letting you know you're not in control. That's how I've felt and so every little kick I haven't felt, every little scary feeling I've had, has seemed so much harder. A saying has often come into my head though. "Come what may, and love it. " I believe everything happens for a reason, and that everything we go through here in this life is what's best for us. It's how we decide to react that ultimately makes our experience what it is.

23 Weeks... It was a rough week. 

Ok, so enough about me. Let me tell you about 3 incredible blessings that I have in my life. They are an incredibly loving husband, the sweetest 5 year old you will ever meet, and a 5 (almost 6) month old that is so adorable, you can not resist kissing or squeezing him.

First, my incredible husband. He is doing amazing things and taking care of our little family all at the same time. He is saving the world 1 ice cream factory employee at a time, makes time for his busy and demanding calling of elder's quorum president, and manages to spend time with our family. He has spoiled me with many breaks from my little minions, spent time to take me out and even did a painting class with me! Made fantastic memories with his two little boys, and continues to amaze me with all the things he does around the house. He's one in a million!

I love him!

Jason at our painting class for Valentine's Day. 

Next, the sweetest 5 year old you will ever meet. He is always thinking about what he can give and do for others. He has taught me so much. He loves his little brother fiercely, and is always happy to help with getting clothes, diapers, bottles, you name it. As long as it's for his little brother, he will go to the moon and back. He has made me a little sad lately with news of a wiggly tooth and an adult tooth that is already creeping in. Every day he seems a little taller, a little crazier, and a little less like my baby boy. If only time didn't seem like it was going by so fast.

He is crazy, but I love him!

Brothers

He's so big!

Adventures with daddy in the mountains.

I can't believe he used to be this little!

This little cutie has been the greatest blessing in our life for the last 6 months. He was meant to be part of our family and taking care of him has helped me in so many ways. He has healed my heart, even just a little bit. My heart still aches for my baby girls, but something about having this little man to care for has filled the needed of being needed and having my arms full. He loves to smile and laugh, especially when his big brother enters the room. He absolutely hates tummy time or being on his back. Once he's up on his feet or in your arms, he's the happiest booger around. I couldn't imagine our little family with out him!

Oh my heart!

My happy boy <3

Adventures with daddy in the mountains!

Well there you have it. An incredible husband and father, and two of the cutest little boys. How can I say I've not been blessed or given wonderful things? Heavenly father is always finding ways to bless us. We just have to take the time to see it. Have an incredible week! Happy reading!

Happy New Year!

Every year we have had a major adventure. Wither it be a hard adventure or an exciting adventure, we have learned so much and loved every memory! Reflecting back on the year 2018, I would say we had more fun and more blessings then in previous years. We have made a major move, made new friends, started Kindergarten, and most importantly added to our sweet little family. We have loved every second of having our sweet little Daxton. Though it may be hard to take care of a crying baby sometimes, I always think about the greatest blessing it is to have him to raise on this earth.

Our year went out with a bang as we made our way to Washington. Our plans were to spend an amazing 10 days with family, and that’s just what we did. This time however, we did not drive 17 hours through the night. Instead we flew with a very active 5-year-old and a 4-month-old that has learned to blow bubbles and scream. It was great fun!

Before going on our trip we got to eat breakfast with Santa

While in Washington we played with cousins, wrapped gifts, went shopping at totally crazy times, opened a plethora of gifts, stayed up till the early hours of the mourning, ate tons of sweets and delicious food, went to Leavenworth, got a baby sitter, went on a hot date, visited friends, and enjoyed every second we had of seeing my family. Surprisingly it has been a little hard to be so far away from them. We created awesome memories and were so sad to say our goodbyes, but it has been nice getting back into the routine of things.

Leavenworth

Visited a friend

We celebrated Jason's birthday too!

Reflecting on this last year has been great to help me evaluate how I want to become better this year. There have been so many changes and so many things that I have absolutely loved. Here are some highlights for each of us for the year.

Carter

He got to spend an entire week with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, and cousins while mommy and daddy wen to Hawaii.

Graduated Pre-School and started Kindergarten. He loves that he goes to school all day here in California.

Has learned how to read and is reading at grade level!

Has been on many plane rides for baby blessing, and Christmas.

Became a big brother to a stinking cute little baby boy.

Got to go to the temple and watch his little brother be sealed together forever.

Is so excited to live in California with a pool in his back yard.

Daxton

Our sweet little 4 month old

Was born and joined our family.

He moved to Utah and then to California.

He was blessed in Utah and sealed to our family in Idaho.

<3

He learned how to blow bubbles, smile, spit, laugh, and has started the painful journey of teething.

Jason

This...

Went to Hawaii for the first time.

Completed 3 spartan races to earn a Trifecta status.

Interviewed in many different places for a promotion with Nestle.

Accepted an HR manager position in California.

Has helped many individuals with career coaching with the Shanna Kay Osborn Foundation.

Became a daddy to a baby boy.

Purchased
a new car (new to us) and a camping trailer.

Is thriving where he works and loves to bring ice cream home to his family.

Me

Went to Hawaii for the first time.

Ran the Teton Dam Half Marathon for the 2^nd time.

Reached my 1-year mark with VIPKID.

Learned that I am expecting a baby girl in June.

Became a mommy to a baby boy.

I have missed my wonderful friends in Utah, but has made incredible friends and memories in California.

It looks like 2019 has a run for its money. We had an incredible year, but I think that 2019 will be even better. If you didn’t catch it, we will be having a baby girl in June!!! We are beyond excited to add another precious little soul to our family! Although the process has been nerve wracking and hard, we look forward to the future with faith that everything will work out for our good.

My 2 handsome boys ate getting a little sister!!!

Another month, another week, another day has gone by. Our little family has been so blessed and we have enjoyed our time in 70-degree weather for November! I must say, I think the weather is my most favorite part of California.

Since my last post, there has been many events in the Osborn family.

There was much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We made the long journey to Idaho to spend some much-needed time with immediate and extended family. It was so wonderful to see everyone and made me a little sad for Utah where many of them live. Our anticipated 12-hour car ride turned into 17 miserable hours through the night. We were so happy to get to our destination at 9 am.

Carter with one of his cousins

Thanksgiving dinner was amazing as always and for the first time in many years I did not go black Friday shopping! Instead we spent our time at the instacare (carter and Jason) and at my uncle’s house away from everyone with two very sick children. I was bummed we had to be secluded, but so glad we didn’t spread the germs.

Carter at the instacare

Saturday was the highlight of our trip. It was a very special day where we became an eternal family. Our little Daxton was sealed to us in the Meridian Idaho Temple. It was so special to have so many family members to attended and share this special event with us. Carter looked so handsome in in white suit, and little Dax did so well in the temple. I am so in love with our huge eternal family. I know our girls were there to witness the event and see their little brother Daxton. I have been given so much and am so thankful for all that I have.

Our little family outside the temple

Our big family outside the temple 

A good friend of ours came to be a part of our special day

We made the trek home on Sunday and it only took us 12 hours! We were very thankful for that as well, and decided that flying is more of our thing.

Here is what has been happening with each of us

Jason

Jason suddenly got into camping and we have camped quite a few times in our front yard. Jason started looking into camping trailers so that we could camp out at the coast. Well, he found one he really liked and one day it was right in front of our house. Carter was so excited about it too and we just had to break it in with sleeping in it for a couple of nights started the night that we got it. Since then we have gone to Morro Bay at the coast and spent a couple of days there.

Jason is still enjoying his job and making sure that our little family is never in want of delicious ice cream. Although we have shared much of our stash, every week it seems there more to try and find a place for in our freezers. We attended an awesome work event where we ate delicious food, played blackjack, and showed off our little Daxton. I have decided that Nestle hasn’t been all that bad too us.

He has some pretty hard days at work

Jason decided to start a new hobby. In January he will be coaching Carter’s basket ball team and balling it up with 5-year-old on the Raptor team. He is pretty excited and Carter can’t wait to play more basketball with his daddy.

Carter

My little ocean bug 

Carter is still loving school. He enjoyed having some time off for Thanksgiving, but I think he was excited to see other kids and be a part of his class again. When I volunteer in his class it is fun to see him and how he interacts with others.

Best big brother!

Carter has loved that we have a camping trailer. When it was outside in our front yard, he asked every night if we could sleep in it. He loves the fact that we can watch movies on our little T.V. inside. I love that he is excited about going on adventures with us.

Carter's favorite new thing

Daxton

Our happy little baby

Daxton is the newest member of our eternal family. He is adorable and every day I feel so lucky to be his mom! He is the happiest baby when he is being held. He has even had an awful cold, but through all the coughs and sneezes he smiles bit. He just turned 3 months and it has been fun to see him stay alert more and interact with us more. He absolutely loves his big brother and will not waste any frowns on him. He always smiles when he sees him.

3 months went by so fast!

Our little polar bear

A smile in his car seat is very rare!

Me

Well, there’s not a whole lot new with me. I spend my days in our rocking chair, holding Daxton while he sleeps. There are only very few times when I am able to put him down so that I can get stuff done. I am so glad that I have an hour 3 days a week to get a little bit of a break and help out in Carter’s Kindergarten class.

My little buddies 

I recently got a new calling in our new ward, and I think it will help me grow quite a bit. I am not very excited about it, but that is because it is uncharted territory. I am the new Wolf den leader for cub scouts. I know… you are jealous that I get to spend an hour a week with little boys teaching them things like how to build a fire and how to sit still for 2 seconds. We had a decent size group of rambunctious little 9-year olds. I am so glad I’m not on my own and have a partner who has done it for years, otherwise… I would not last very long.

As soon as we got home from our trip... Christmas is up!

California has finally started to look like fall. I have loved the weather here, but it definitely takes some getting used to. It is very strange to go outside on a November day with only a light sweater. We have missed our friends in Spanish Fork very much, but are thankful for the kind wonderful people here. There hasn’t been very many weekends where we don’t have plans.

1 month turns into 2

I started writing this blog almost exactly a month ago, and surprise surprise, I never finished it or published it. Don't worry, we're still alive and have not had anything happen to us in California. I must say I was a little worried about that. We've enjoyed our time here very much, especially the 80 degree October weather! We still miss our friends and family in Utah, but it's so nice to know they're only a phone call away.

Well, we have had a very eventful 2 months since little Daxton became a part of our family. I had completely forgotten how much work these precious babies are. It's so worth it, but sometimes I feel bad for my little buddy Carter. He's had to learn how to share his mom and dad, and although it doesn't seem like it bothers him there are little moments where he lets us know that it is hard for him. Here are a few updates about each of us.

Carter

Carter started kindergarten and goes for the full day! I'm so glad I have little Daxton to keep me company or I think it would be super hard to have my sidekick away from me for 6 hours. The first day I dropped him off, I bawled all the way home and cuddled my Daxton for the rest of the time Carter was gone. It's hard to let him go, but I know he loves learning and being around other kids. He fit right in and made an instant friend while I watched him settle in. Oh what an adventure.

My baby's all growed up

First day of kindergarten in California 

Carter is such a good big brother. I knew that any sibling he was able to have he would be happy to love on. I catch Carter quite often talking to his little brother and trying to make him smile. For the first little while we had him home with us in California, he often asked if he could feed or hold Daxton. I love seeing my two babies together!

One of the times Carter asked to hold Dax

And then he wanted to feed him. 

Carter is loving it in California. Especially when we go to the beach! He can't get enough of the ocean.

Carter loving the beach and the crazy seagulls 

More fun being a beach bum

Daxton

Oh my heart

Well, what can I say? He's the cutest, sweetest, most cuddly baby on the planet. He loves to be held and that's often the only thing that will make him happy. I discovered baby carriers are lifesavers in disguise. It's the only way I'm ever able to get anything done.

Baby snuggles <3

He's doubled in size since the day he was born and we love counting his rolls. He's starting to come out of the newborn fog and we often have little conversations. I think my most favorite thing ever is those sweet little baby smiles that are starting to show more often. We are so in love with this little human!!!

My 2 month cutie

Sweet baby smiles 

A couple of weeks ago we were able to bless him. We loved going back to our old ward and sharing something happy with them one more time before saying a final goodbye. Oh how we love those wonderful people!

Our handsome little guy

There were a zillion more people there, but these guys stayed for a picture

Jason
Well, I think that best thing about this move is the excitement of a new job. Jason is loving his new position and we are reaping the benefits of it as well. Who wouldn't want 2 freezers full of Hogen Dauze ice cream?! Don't worry, we share it with anyone and everyone we meet, otherwise we'd probably be about 5000lbs each.

Last weekend my spartan warrior finished his last spartan race and earned his trifecta! I wasn't able to walk next to him and cheer him on, but from what I saw he did awesome! We had a team member we were missing, but it was fun to get together and reconnect. I'm sure Jason has a different word for it. He's still trying to recover from it. I'm so proud of him for setting a goal and sticking to it!

The only pic I got off the team. They were all nice and clean. 

Jason decided we would add another adventure to our list. We bought a camping trailer and have already used it two nights in a row. Carter often asks if we can eat in there, hang out in there, and rest in there ha ha. The day we had it parked out front Carter staked out his bed and before we knew it we were sleeping in it. We'll see if Jason sticks to his end of the deal and makes sure we put some use on that thing.

Me

Well, as I said earlier I am loving this 80 degree weather! It's amazing to think this is fall weather in California. I don't get to enjoy it as much as I would like because I'm always holding a sweet little baby, feeding him, changing him, or rocking him to sleep. I've got us mostly unpacked, and have met some awesome people. I've already gone to play dates, lunch dates, game nights, and girls nights. The people here are very friendly and we couldn't be more happy about that. Don't worry spanish fork friends, you'll always be the greatest in our book!

Well, now that is way past my bed time, I better head to bed. Thank you to all our wonderful friends for making a life so much worth living! We love you!