Our Snow Days

I thought when I moved to California, Southern California, that I wouldn't be dealing with snow in the front yard. I was so wrong!!!! We had a huge snow storm that came through and it snowed all day. We got around a foot of snow. Emjae was dressed in her Ninja outfit and her beanie.

She was our snow ninja for the day. Merita ended up getting 2 extra days off of school and played in the snow as much and as often as she could. The day it snowed she went in and out at least 4 times. Emjae also got to go out in the snow.

We blew up her bath tub, attached a rope to it and made a little sled. She liked it as long as we were moving, but every time we stopped she was not happy and started to cry.

It was so cute. We also made a snow man the day after it snowed.

I have not done that for a good 6 years or so. It was fun! Later that night we had our ward christmas party. Emjae got to take a picture with santa and she was not happy. She was the first child to cry with santa. I will hopefully be getting that picture soon.
Our dinner was ok, we had cold ham, potatoe casseroles, rolls and salad. They had entertainment as well, but we were unable to stay because James had to work that night and he needed to get home to get some rest. Our couple days of snow were def cold, but enjoyable.

Welcome Home Trevor!

YAH!!! Trevor is home! He is the oldest of the 3 boys, but younger than me. :) He served a full 2 years in Honduras. He came home November 6th (the same day as his birthday) and unfortunately we were unable to be there. We did however make there this last weekend. The trip was not only for Trevor but for Amy and Alex. They both went throught the Las Vegas Temple on Saturday. After wards we all went to New York Pizza and Pasta. We had a party on 15.

Trevors friend Justin (or Martin as the fam knows him), his wife Julie, us 7 Burns plus James, and Alex and Amys friends Steve, Linda, Paige and Connor. It was such a blast. One of the things I do love about coming home is I will always get a room! Some one gets kicked out so James, Emjae and I have a place.

It was of course Alex this time. Starting this Saturday he will be joining the Married Club so he no longer will be getting kicked out of a room, unless Amy says so. :) It def. is a full house when all the kids are home. My parents have a 4 bedroom house, and well there was need of 7 rooms. Paul and Alex got couches or a floor, and Erik got the hide-a-bed down stairs. Speaking of stairs, our little angel decided to climb all the way up the stairs. She just doesn't know how to slow down!
Sunday was Trevors home coming talk. He did such an amazing job, and you can tell he has grown and learned alot. Everyone plus some that weren't at the sealing were there at the church.



Congratulations to Trevor, Amy and Alex!!!

Black Widow

Happy Late Halloween. It's almost a week later but I thought I would put some of the pics of Emjae up. This year Emjae had 2 halloweens! She went to the Trunk-or-Treat at our ward and got a small little tootsie roll sucker. Oh my goodness did she love that on the way home! She stuck the whole thing in her mouth, but was starting to get some of the flavor as well so mom just took the wrapper off. She made a nice mess of herself and after a minute or two I went to take it out and she did not like that at all!!! I had to quickly replace it with her pacifier.
For her second halloween we went to the Peterson's Trunk-or-Treat with Monty, Kristin and the boys. It was nice to see all of the Peterson Clan. Emjae and Trey had fun playing on the ground for a little bit.

Monty wanted to take Emjae and well she some how got a sucker and she drooled all down Monty's arm and there's even a drop down on her chin.
Emjae wasn't old enough to go through the hay maze but Tyler and Kory were.

Over all James and I just loved our little black widow.

(and yes I know the hour glass is suppose to go on the stomach, but then no one would have seen it.)

Fun at Oma's and Opa's

Well we're back! It was nice to be able to get away and have a little vacation. It was just sad that Emjae and I were by ourselves with out James for a whole week. I know that since I am more grown up and have my own little family that I appreciate the small things that my mom did for us while I was growing up. It was nice to be able to wake up in the morning with Emjae and go give her to play with Oma while I went back to sleep. Thanks Mom!

Emjae sure had a blast over in Vegas. She got to crawl on the ground with oma and opa, she had a personal walker to walk her around the whole house, she had the tallest seat in the house, she met all her second cousins, she ate good food, she played in the sink, she got to sit in the bishops seat, she got kisses from a boy at church and from grandma greats dog Precious and just had so much fun!! It is hard being the distance away from my family, but I know that she wont forget them. We arrived on sunday and monday when my dad came home from work, he opened the door and emjae smiled so big and started crawling to him. It was the cutest thing.

I will say the only thing she did not like was the play saucer. She loved all the toys around it and would stand up to play with them, but she did not want to be put in it. We could not understand it for the life of us. She wanted to be standing all the time so we thought it would be great! We were so wrong and I am glad we were able to borrow one before mom was able to go and buy one. The only time she really liked it was when she was eating or really really happy, and even then it would only be for 5 minutes or so. My crazy child!!!!

Amy's Bridal Shower

Today was Amy's Bridal Shower, the whole reason I was here in Vegas this week. It was payback time. Amy did my shower and in the do you know your fiance game she tricked me on acouple of questions. I asked Alex 16 questions and he said that was an odd number so we came up with 4 more questions. Out of 20 questions Amy only got 8 right!! HAHAHA!!!! We also played What's On the Platter, Do you know the Bride, and Name that movie and song title. Over all I think everything went pretty well. I made Oreo Truffles which were demolished as soon as everyone got there, mom made spinach dip and that was a hit as well, we had fruit and chicken salad crossant sandwiches. For Amy's cake we made a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. I did the decorating on the cake and I thought it was cute. Everyone enjoyed themselves! I'm just glad I was able to come down and help out and throw the shower for my sister. I love you Amy!!!!!

It's no coincidence!

I have a super baby!! I am doing dishes in the kitchen and Emjae stands up and lets go of my shorts and this time she took two steps forward before she fell down. Those socks she had on her feet probably didn't help anything either. I have no idea what I am going to do! She is doing so much better with her crawling. She will go from the front room to the stairs to the kitchen, back into the front room and do it all over again. She is even trying to climb up the stairs. She can get herself fully on the first step and then she starts to cry for help.
The funny thing is that I went to a WIC appointment acouple of weeks ago and they told me I shouldn't be giving her anything but the breast milk. I said well I have given her some things already like bread and even some brocolli and chicken smashed in my baby food grinder. The worker gives me a pamphlet that tells me that I shouldn't give her anything until she is 6 months and can do a list of things. I look at the list and it says can sit up with support (yep, been doing that since 3 1/2 months), can hold head up for long periods (yep, since she was born), close mouth over spoon (check), keep food in mouth (check), crawls(yep). I then was like, ummmm....ya, shes doing all those things and she's been doing those things for a while. I just thought it was funny.

She's Standing

This morning I received such a big surprise! Im sitting on my parents bed and Emjae has pulled herself onto the wall. Not the surpise yet! She then goes to holding her self with one hand and then NO HANDS!!!! She stood there for about 3 seconds!! I could not believe it!! Doesn't she know she isn't suppose to be able to do that yet? Then she went over to the bed and pulled herself up again. She was trying to let go but didn't quiet have her balance. I am hoping this was just a one time fluke, but we will find out soon enough.

Sleeping Buddies?

Where have my sleeping buddies gone? For my birthday my parents got me a play pen for Emjae! I was so excited! This all means that James and I get our bed back. So there are only 2 people instead of 3 in the bed. The only thing I miss is her cuddling next to me. I didn't think that I would miss it, but I do. I don't miss the Cindy sandwich that James and Emjae would make so much, I just miss certain parts of it. Now to top it all off James got a job at Target and he will be working the grave yard shift. So now I don't even get to sleep with my husband to often. I don't have any sleeping buddies. I don't want Emjae to get use to sleeping in the bed with us. James doesn't have a full schedule yet, but I am in vegas this whole week and James isn't. :( It is wierd and not something I like sleeping by myself. The sacrifices we make.

On a positive note I am in Vegas with my family. Amy's bridal shower is this weekend and I am in charge of it. So I get to help out this whole week with everything. YAH!!!!!!

Happy Birthday!!

So there are a ton of birthdays within 30 days. Tina's was on Sunday but we celebrated on saturday with a bbq and cake. There were a ton of people that came over and it was a good day. My sis Amy turns 25 today. She is now a quarter of a century old. Then my dads birthday is on the 1st, and I think that danny's and one of the nephews birthdays is also this month. Then comes mine on the 15th, my friends lola and sophia on the 19th, Sereisa's I think is the 25th. Uncle Tunu is in there somewhere. My grandpa and my cousin chloe are on the 31st. I think I forgot someone. Its so hard to keep track. I am going to make a calendar that has everyones birthday on it. So Happy Birthday to everyone!!!

We are so in trouble!!!!!

I am so grateful for technology. I was able to capture this right on my phone. It is the first time that she is actually crawling with her head up. Most of the time she will just move one arm and then fall, but not today. And for those that don't know how old she is, she is now 4 months and 3 weeks old. GO EMJAE!!!!!

Family Home Evening

Every 3rd monday of the month our F.H.E. is going to be learning how to cook/bake something. Rita was able to chose what we were going to do and she wanted to learn how to make banana bread. James, Tina, Rita and I each made our own batch of banana bread, and we all did it by hand, no mixers. They didn't like that because it is somewhat difficult to mix the shortening, sugar and eggs with just a spoon. There are no slotted spoons in the house which would have helped out alot. But we did it anyways. Tina ended up using a wire wisk, which Emjae enjoyed eating off of after it was done.

While it was in the oven I let the girls know that if we bake and make a mess, we need to clean up after ourselves. They weren't too excited to do dishes, but not soon after we all started singing Disney songs. Even trying to think of songs that the other had to figure out what movie it was from. As soon as the bread was done we put Brother Bear in and sat down and watched it and ate our bread. The girls are still talking about how much fun they had!

Route 66 Car Show

Today was a pretty nice day. James, Tina, Rita, Emjae and I were headed down the hill. Emjae was getting a little impatient waiting for Tina so she decided she was going to take the wheel on Uncles Exursion. We went to Mom and Dad's house and picked up little James and Cathrine to go to the Stater Bros Route 66 Car Show.

We met up with Mom, Dad, Helene, Clinton, Jenny, and Helene's roommate Amanda. We walked around and saw so many cars!! It was fun, and it was something that both James and Dad like.

There was even a little tiny car for Emjae :)

I thought of the movie CARS because there was a car there that looked like Mator.

3 hours after being there the kids started getting tired of walking so we headed back to the car. We didn't even get to see all the cars that were there. It is something that I would not mind going to again.
On a side note, Emjae is starting to pose! Here are a few of her shots!

Thanks Grandma Great

We got a package last week from my Grandma Coker or as the other great grandchildren call her, Grandma Great. It was a very pretty dress the she had been crocheting for awhile and well Sunday was the day Emjae got to wear it. She looked so cute and the dress fit perfectly! There was a bow that was suppose to be infront, but Emjae kept pulling it apart and eating it so we moved it to the back.

THANKS GRANDMA GREAT!!!!
Sunday was a nice day. James and I went to church in our new ward. Its small but nice. The people are very friendly and welcoming. We are both excited to start coming to the new ward. Tina is even going to start coming with us to sunday school and relief society, since she has been going to nursery every sunday.
We are also excited becuase Uncle John asked us to help start Family Home Evenings. So far we have had 2. The first one was a lesson that I prepared and this last monday was an activity the James prepared. This coming up monday we are going to learn how to make some kind of food. I think the girls are liking it, as well as us starting to read scriptures as a family.

Count your Blessings

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the lord has done. So a-mid the conflict, whether great or small, do not be discouraged; God is over all. Count your many blessings; angels will attend, help and comfort give you to your journey's end!!!

Life is full of ups and downs. At times we forget things when we are in the downs. Its always been said life is like a roller coaster. Starting off on our way up it can get a little scary. We see the top and once we are there you look around and think wow this is beautiful, I can see everything. How it would be if we could just stop the ride there at times. And in our life it does from time to time. But with any ride there is also a down. It can be frightening. Some people have even been know to scream. Sometimes the ride breaks down at this point. But it always has an up after that. And it will sometimes chug back up slowly to the top. Of course not all of the ride is steep up and downs, there are the small little bumps that give make our stomachs feel like they just moved, but overall it is a continuous ride until the end.

How grateful I am for all the blessings in my life. I appreciate small things more and more. I can understand why people would be so discouraged or feel that all is lost. But let us remember the words that Alma once spoke to his son Helaman: "...I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day." -Alma 36:3

Milestones

Today has been a busy day for Emjae. She is now rolling over consistenly from her back to her stomach and she seems to only do it when no one is watching. This morning I put her on the floor and went to my bedroom for a quick sec and when I came out she was on her stomach. I went to go tell James, but he was still sleeping. It is so exciting seeing her do these things. She even now is holding up her stomach as well as her head.

Im guessing pretty soon she will be crawling and moving like crazy. The next milestone dad isn't happy about and didn't think it would happen for a long time, but yesterday Emjae held hands and even shared her hand eating with the bishops grandson Noah.

James says she can't see him anymore and I just think its cute and hillarious.

So other than that things are going well still for James and I. Aunt Lisa and Uncle John bought a swinger for Emjae on Saturday.

She seems to like it, but she loves leaning forward in it. Since she leans over so much to the front the chair doesn't seem to rock as much.
It is a nice gift though and we are grateful for it.

Thank you

I want to say thank you to my family. For the support and love they give. For their not asking questions and just supporting James and I in our decisions, even if they don't always agree. And for their positive attitudes and out look on situations that arise. I want to say thank you to my brother in law Monty. For being there as a big brother to James and listening to him and trying to always do what he can even though he isn't directly here where we are. I would like to thank Tj and Dora for holding Emjae and for trying to help the situation. I want to say thank you to my Heavenly Father. If it wasn't for him I don't know where we would be. He is a constant support and a constant friend through all things. I know that through the faith that I exercise in him that he will continue to bless us. I also know that when we do all that we can and feel like we can't go on, he helps us to continue on until he is ready to give us the blessings he has promised. I want to thank my husband. For his standing up for me and being there as my husband, my friend, and my eternal companion. The love and thankfulness I have for these people will always be there for these people. It is in our darkest hours when the light shines through.

Girls Camp

Yesterday was the first day of Girls camp. I was suppose to be going and being a unit mom for the "C Monsters," but last Tuesday I found out that after they told me I could go so many times, I really couldn't go. Someone found paperwork somewhere saying its a liability to take Emjae, and then they said I wouldn't be able to focus on the girls because I have a baby. I was so heart broken and so where the girls from the ward. In fact I was going to be the only leader or even adult that was going from the ward. So we have 2 unit moms from the other Samoan ward. Last night though I and the rest of the Young Women Presidency went to camp to go check in and spend the evening with the girls. They were so happy we came! It was also Emjaes first beach experience. Not to much excitement from her because she was all bundled up, but it none the less was her first time at the beach.

The girls are camping right on the beach and are loving it. At least they say they are. It was getting pretty cold when we were there. I had Emjae all bundled up and I had to feed her in one of the tents.

But I guess we will find out what the girls really think about staying on the beach when we go back up Thursday night for Bishops night. The Presidency and I stayed for their Family Home Evening/ Fireside they had and the Stake YW Presidency was in charge. The 2nd counselor did such a great job talking about staying morally clean and not rushing through life, the first counselor talked about peer pressure and how we need to not give in to what the world thinks or says. She gave a hand-out with a beautiful song called Beautiful to Him

So much noise

so much peace destroyed

I can hardly hear the voice

Leading me through the void

So much Noise

The world's little lies

Destruction in disguise

Opportunities to compromise

To make me beautiful in their eyes

But I'm not going to buy

The world's little lies

(Chorus)

'Cause I define myself and find my beauty in

the light he gives

I'm refined by His divine intentions every day I live

It doesn't matter what the world believes

Or what they say that beauty means

It comes from within

I want to be beautiful to him

He's given me His trust

So I'll be strong enough

To run from a dangerous tough

I don't need that kind of love

I don't need that crutch

He's given me His Trust

(chorus)

I know how to shine

My life's not really mine

It's not about a worldly climb
It's all about his design

So in His eyes

I want to shine

(chorus)

I want to live to have His peace

And feel the holiness He sees

It comes from within

I want to be beautiful to Him

Engagement pics

So I love my sister and her fiance!!! They got tires put on my car and brought it down from Vegas. They have done so much to help James and I that I was more than willing to take their engagement pics. On Saturday we went to the Etiwanda building and took some pics for them.

I had fun and so did Emjae. Of course she got a little jealous since she wasn't getting pictures taken so she decided to jump in a few of them.


Even after her pics she decided to try and start rock climbing.



Amy and Alex love their little niece so they didn't mind her jumping in a bit.

Saturday was also Uncle John's birthday. He is now an old man and the family up threw a bbq. There was tons of food. We had chicken, ribs, pork steaks, hamburgers, hot dogs, and some other samoan foods. We had a good day and Emjae was a happy baby.

Today Emjae has been a little fussy this evening. She looked so cute today though!!

And she thinks her car seat is a sleeping seat, so of course on our way to church she fell asleep.

She is just to adorable at times!!!

1 year

Yesterday was Mine and James anniversary. We have been married for 1 year, and its been an interesting year. We both have learned and grown so much (partly because of where we live). It really has been a great year looking back, and the best thing about it all would have to be Emjae. We may not have wanted to have a baby right away, but she is such a bundle of joy that if we had to do it over again we wouldn't change a thing. (except for where we live). Thanks to my amazing sisters in law I was able to have some milk stored up so james and I could drop her off at tj and doras and go out on a date. We went to the Olive Garden and then to go see Black Knight, the new batman movie. At dinner it felt a little empty with out Emjae and we couldn't stop talking about her. After the movie got out we realized it had been 6 hours and this mom had to get to her baby. Not only cuz I missed her, but I was starting to feel that Emjae really needed to eat. Luckily we got there when we did, cuz aunt dora was about to feed her again and this mom would have been really sore all the way home. James and I had a really good time and are very grateful to all those who helped us have a date. I love you James and am so excited to see what's in store for us through out the eternitys!!

Emjaes First Swim

So Thursday last week was the first time Emjae got to go swimming.


We all went over to Tj and Dora's and went swimming and had dinner.

Emjae was only in the pool for a little bit because when we got over there the pool was mostly shaded and it was starting to get a little breezy. It seemed like she had fun.

Of course James was having fun. He became a lizard on the wall, a whale, a dolphin, an alligator, a hippo, and of course he was even rambo. I love the fact that there are never any real dull moments with him. Thanks Tj and Dora for the swim!!!!

Ketchup

Haha, just kidding about the title. Its just been awhile so I thought I would do a little ketchup (catch-up). Well things are still going. Amy, Emjae and I all enjoyed our trip to Utah. Of course I ended up not seeing any of the people I wanted to, but thats all good. Grandma Great got to see Emjae again and Paiges birthday was fun.



We pretty much spent the whole day with Linda and Paige on her birthday.


Then when the boys got home we spent more time with all of them. Paige wanted a Dora plate so Amy bought her a Dora plate, bowl and cup.


Emjae did so well traveling. She slept all the way from St. George to Spanish Fork which is around 3 1/2 hr drive. Even while we were up in Utah she did so well. We kept getting her in and out of the vehicle and there was one day were I fed her maybe 1 minute in one of the dressing rooms at the mall twice but over a 5 hour period. I could not have asked for a better baby.

James is looking for a job right now. And well we have been in vegas since Thursday. He went and filled out an app with an electrical union out here to start as a apprentice. He is scheduled for a test on Oct 20, but they do the testing every monday and if they have any openings then he may be able to squeeze in. So we are praying that there will be an opening tomorrow so he can take the test.

Oh, I also have my car back now. Erik did what he could and helped us out for acouple months by using it and making payments, but unfortunately he no longer can do that. Now we have the car back and well I was looking at it and I am surprised that James and Paul did not get a blow out on their way back to Vegas. My car needs 4 new tires. So until we get money for that, the car will be staying in Vegas.

I know that everything will work out though. Heavenly Father has a wierd since of humor at times with the trials and lessons he tries to teach us, but I know that I am sometimes so stubborn he has to teach me over and over.

I just want to say that I am very grateful to my families. For all the support, help and guidance that they have given to Me and James. With out families things would be more difficult. So thank you to all of those that have helped us!!!!

Sad Day

So Emjae went and got her 2 month shots. :( I almost cried. I had never heard her cry like she did. Her face turned purple and then she let out this blood curdling scream. The first one was bleeding pretty bad, and the second shot she just cried even louder. The sad thing is that she was suppose to have 3 shots and 1 oral but apparently there is a shortage on one of the shots, so I have to call next week to see if they have the shot in and then I have to take her back to go get it. Maybe I will send dad next time. I gave her some infant tylenol and I fed her when we got home and she is knocked out right now. My poor sweetheart.

The Love Between Husband and Wife

I am so grateful for my husband James. The things I put him through and the things he does for me and Emjae are so amazing. To some it probably wouldn't seem like a lot, but I have learned that the little things are what make great people.
Last night the 3 of us were suppose to drive half way to Vegas to drop off Emjae and Me. We were almost to the half way point to meet up with Amy and Alex, when I called them and found out that they were not even to Primm (state line almost) and had gotten a flat tire. They asked if we could just meet them in Primm and they would pay for our gas. I gave the phone to James so they could ask him because he was the one driving and he had work the next day. He said yes even though there was the traffic from people coming back to cali from vegas. As we got closer to Primm there was road construction and it was down to one lane. The traffic was so backed up and that was 20-30 miles away from Primm. When we finally got there and met up with them, the traffic was even backed up past Primm. I felt so horrible because he would have to drive back in that by himself. Amy and Alex did pay for the gas even though my husband tried to be sneaky and do it before we pulled up behind him.
I know that he was not happy at all, and in fact I'm pretty sure that I can say he was furious. He of course wouldn't show it, but I know him.
Him willing to do that for me shows the love that he has for me. He is willing to drive even farther then what was planned so that I can come to vegas to head up to utah for 5 days with out him. Im sad he can't come with us because I love when we do things together. But he knows that he has to work as well to support us, and there is another testament of the love he has.
This is a shot out to all the husbands who love their wives and do the small things. The small things do count!!!!! I love you James!!!!!

Time sure does fly

So my little girl is not so little anymore. She is 23 1/2" and she now weights around 14 lbs (I think) the scales adds on 14 more lbs when I am holding her.

Man how time flies by. Well James and I are still house sitting and having a nice time. I was suppose to have my 6 week post partum appt. yesterday at now 7 weeks, but they called and canceled it. So I called back, they couldn't tell me why so they told me to come in 30 minutes earlier then my appt. James and I got there and we could see why they had canceled it. There was an hour and a half wait past the time of what my appt was. We decided to reschedule. Thanks to my trip to Utah I am taking this coming Monday my new appt is July 1st. And Emjaes 2 month shot appt is July 2nd. So I get to sit at the doctors office on the 1st and then the 2nd. I am not to excited about that.
I am however excited for my trip to Utah. Amy, Emjae and I will be heading up this coming monday and coming back on friday. The main reason for this trip is that Paige (amys biological daughter) is having her birthday!
(This was her 2nd Birthday)
She is turning 3, and wow how time sure flies by. Amy also has made plans to stop off at The Point in Salt Lake. Her and Alex are having their reception there and she needs to check in on a few things. I am glad that I get to see this place. I've seen the pics, but being there in person will be so much better. I on the other hand have made some plans myself :) Of course its when Amy doesn't have any. I plan on seeing my friend Ashley. I think I can honestly say she is a best friend. We don't get to see each other often, but we have had our ups and our downs and we have had our trials and through it all after 12+ years we are still friends! Im also planning on seeing my boy Bobbie!! He and I became friends after I met his babies momma. He got me the job at Les Schwab and he was my only friend from utah that made it to my wedding out in Cali. Im just excited to see these people its been awhile. I have also been told that Paige wants to meet Emjae. After she saw pictures she wanted to come out here and see her. The only thing that I am not excited about it is the fact that James wont be going with us.
Other than that not to much has been going on and its been kinda nice. I was made the Young Womens 2nd Counselor and well I decided that I am going to be going to Girls Camp.

We needed to have 2 leaders and we had 1 lady from the ward who isn't even in young womens going since the leaders can't get work off or they have young kids who need running around. I didn't think I could go because Emjae, but they told me I could and well I wanted to go anyways. So Emjae and I are headed to the beach for girls camp this August. I am going to have to get some real good sun block for my little girl. I have never been to girls camp on a beach, so I am kinda excited. Other than that Young Womens is going great. I love my beehives and am excited to help my class presidency this up coming month to plan the activities. Im not sure any of them have planned an activity so it will be a great opportunity for them to learn some more leadership skills.