Guys Night Out

Justin and I have talked many times about making individual time with each of our children a priority throughout their lives. Miley and Scotlin are a little older now, and it's fun to start implementing these traditions. Not every outing needs to be on a grand scale... what is most important is each child having one on one time with mom or dad doing something they enjoy together, and having uninterrupted time to talk to one another. 

We have ALL enjoyed having dad home a little more often, and since Justin's time is more available I was especially happy to see Scotlin have his first official father/son outing. I know a little 'man time' was just what Scotlin needed, and it turns out to be just what Miley needed as well. 

Dad planned a special night out for Scotlin and himself to the Moose-heads game at the Metro Center. 

Dooey was very excited to have a late night, but most of all to be 'just guys' with his dad. He packed himself a little backpack to take with him, and was sure to bring a few Hot Wheels! :) 

We dropped the guys off downtown and wished them well! It was fun to see the two of them hop out of the car off on their adventure together. Miley thought it was amazing to see Scotlin headed off to the hockey game. It was very clear to her what a special event this was! 

On the way home I don't think I have ever heard Miley be so sweet. She was DELIGHTFUL. She was thrilled for the chance to have a girls night with mom and sister, and talked all the way home about all of the special things she wanted to do. I have to admit, that I loved having an all girls night with my girls too! It truly was such a perfect tender little night for all three of us. I let Miley lead the way, and told her tonight was her special night, and she could choose everything she wanted to do. 

Her list went something like this:

-Get in the tub with Loren

-Watch Donald Duck and Eat Toast. 

While I put Loren to bed, Miley played right beside us in the bath tub until she was a prune. She had all her toys lined up on the edge just right, and was playing happily and quietly by herself. After her bubble bath she watched Donald Duck cartoons on daddy's computer at the kitchen table with her favorite combination of toast and honey. I think this night was a little slice of Miley pie for this girl. Zero interruptions, and a few hours to have everything going her way. She thanked me many times, and her sweetness was on high the whole night. 

Before bed she told me: "This was such a great night to have a break from the boys." 

She thought their guys night was a terrific idea. :)

Meanwhile, Scotlin is at the game enjoying his popcorn and blue Gatorade; Watching the hockey players crash and fall down, and cheering on the Moose-head Mascot. 

The arena was PACKED and full of energy. Justin was a sport, going out with pink eye and all. :( 

He reported that Scotlin did really well the whole time, was into the game, and having fun. 

When I picked them up later that night I couldn't wait to hear what Scotlin thought of his special time out with dad!.. But he refused to tell me. Every time Justin began telling me about their time together, Scotlin would insist: "No dad! We can't tell mom that... it's only for boys!" I tried a few more times to get more out of him. All I got was a big smile on his mischievous face, and the same answer every time... "No, I can't tell you about that... It's only for boys!" 

Clearly I could see this special night was going to be kept his secret, so I let it be exactly that. All I needed to know was that he had a good time, and that I know was had! So good, it has to be kept a secret. ;) 

We love our little Dude Man. He's growing up fast. 

The Kids. The Move.

This Girl:

My little companion. 

Our baby angel. 

She turned 3 months old recently, and is such a delight! 

Her patterns have evened out. She is easier to feed and soothe, and is all around enjoyable. 

She's smiley and interactive. She loves her little toys, and to sit up in her chair. 

Is there anything better than a bumbo chair? She loves it. 

We spend lots and lots of our time together snuggling. Loren is my babe who loves and needs a little extra TLC. She loves to be held tight and close. She loves to burry her head in my neck with mine buried in hers, as close as we can possibly be. I love that she will fall asleep in my arms right where she prefers to be. We might have to pay for bad habits later, but right now we are sticking to our own rules. If I really should put her down, I'm probably just going to hold her for 10 minutes longer. Can't get enough of my babe. 

Twinner day with dad, and biggest smiles.

I think Loren looks so much like her dad. I am seeing double when Justin is holding her. 

I am having flash backs to the time of Miley and her 2 closest baby friends, Rory and Taylor. 

Now flash forward to Isla, Evelyn, and Loren. 

Truly, nothing beats going through early motherhood years with your closest friends. 

These Kids:

Getting Big. 

 zonked-out-on-the-couch-after-soccer-and-dance-little-slice-of-heaven-saturday-afternoon-nap.

Niether one of them nap anymore. Every so often we'll have an afternoon like this, but it's rare. Is there anything better than a peaceful snooze at home on the couch?!

 While we are on the topic of sleep... These two share a bedroom now. Getting practice in before our move to Utah.  With sibling rivalry and Scotlin's sleep walking/talking habits I was nervous how this would go over at first. But, they have done pretty well with this, and are learning that we all have to sacrifice a little right now. 

Sometimes, when they play so well together at night, I'll purposely let them stay up laughing and giggling in the 'club house' (the corner of their tiny closet) instead of putting them to bed. These are some of the moments we live for. I could never break up the fun. 

St. Patty's Day at Preschool!

Pink eye for spring break. :( We've had better days. 

They love to have friends over, and have started asking for friends to play with everyday. I wish our climate yielded to more time outside, but we make do with lots of indoor play time. 

I love being home so the kids can play at our house. 

The move is upon us. We are quickly starting to wonder what we will ever do without the Leeco Family next door. Jacalyn has been so good to me lately. Stopping by the house with dinner in hand on a weekday night, or movies and popcorn for the kids while they're sick. It seems like every conversation I have with her lately we are talking about how weird it is that our time as neighbors is coming to an end, and how sad we will be to part. Jacalyn teases that she is putting her house up for sale once we move. Let it be no secret at all that we adore this family! 

Jacalyn appeased me for a few photos. She hates getting her picture taken! How could I resist some of my favorite people in one shot?! We'll have to recruit Victoria out for summer visits when we are finally settled. Don't think we can live without our Leeco girls!

It's a great deal of work to get out of the house these days. So once we finally do, sometimes it's tempting to take our time getting back home. Most weeks, after swim class when the kids are completely worn out, we'll just go for a drive. Even though the skies are grey and the roads are icy, all three kids fall asleep in the back seat, and for just a minute it feels like a little piece of solitude. A total waste of gas, but worth it for a moment of peace.
As I drive I love to think and ponder and take in the beautiful Nova Scotian countryside. The endless pine and rock takes me to a place where I can reflect upon our journey here as it quickly changes, and approaches an ending point.
I find it hard to believe how long we have been here, and at the same time how quickly it has passed.
I let a few tears fall freely at times when I think of our experience here, and how much we are leaving behind. People we have come to love, pain that has helped us grow, and learning that has brightened our future.  We have planted our hearts in Nova Scotia and embraced it as our home, and now all we take with us are our memories. Halifax, Nova Scotia will always have a little piece of my heart.

We have started selling our furniture and down sizing our home for the move. Already our home is becoming unrecognizable. Slowly our comforts here are no longer ours. It almost brings a bit of anxiety, like the ground is crumbling underneath me to see the home we have tried to hard to establish come apart. But, we know we need to press forward and keep believing in better things to come.
The kids have been terrific with moving preparations, even eager to help. Miley had one moment when she saw another family come and purchase the slide we had given to her and Scotlin for Christmas. She began to cry and explained that we'll never have that slide again. We did our best to console her. She has been very brave. Justin and I promised the kids a trip to the toy store once we arrive in Utah, so they can pick something new of their own.
I have had simliar moments of sentimental breakdown. I have been doing well keeping up with ads and getting our items sold, but once someone came and took my kitchen table is when it really hit me.
A woman puts her heart and soul into her kitchen table! It's where she nourishes her family, and where they gather together. Our table was more than ready to part with our family. We had outgrown it, and let's be honest... it was pretty much a piece. BUT... I as I saw it leaving our home I couldn't help but think of all the meals I had prepared there, and all of the many people we have invited to sit around it with us. One minute, it's ours, and adds character and personality to our home, and the next minute it's gone and belongs to someone else down the road.
In the end they're all just things. And it goes to show just how much we can truly live without.
Our goal is to completely downsize and simplify our lives. I think we are well on our way.

There will definitely be things about NS that we will miss, but we feel and know our time here is up. We have done what we came her to do, and now we are ready and excited to move on. We're looking forward to what the future has in store. We plan on enjoying our final months here... now if only it would warm up... :)

Dr JS Madsen DDS

Justin passed his National Board Exams, officially making him a Doctor of Dental Surgery! What do we do now?! Do we laugh?! Do we cry?! Do we just start packing???! :) 

It's an unbelievable feeling to describe when our years as a student family are coming to a close. The journey is coming to an end, the hard work has met it's reward, and all that is left is graduation. 

I'll never forget the day Justin was accepted to Dental School. He raced down the steps of old main hill, and burst through the door with our good news. We shared tears together that day, and there have been many tears shed since. We have struggled to achieve this dream. The stakes have been high, and we have paid the price. What a victory! 

The magnitude of this achievement continues to set in as we thaw from a deep freeze. 

To say that I am proud of Justin would never give justice to my true admiration. What a journey it has been. I am thrilled to be at his side, to be the first to celebrate and congratulate him. 

We're grateful as we think of this journey coming to a close, and are excited, optimistic and hopeful as we begin the next chapter of our lives.

Congratulations, Dr. Madsen.

Baby of Mine

Blessing Day

We blessed Loren today in our ward here in Halifax. Loren screamed her little eyes out from the minute her blessing began until the moment it ended. In all honesty, I hardly heard a word that was uttered because my ears were so focused on her cry. :( I know Justin was disappointed he wasn't able to give her the blessing he had hoped for. It is a blessing only given once, and I know there was more in his heart and mind to be said. But oh well. We simply smile and carry on. This day was about our little lady, and she wanted to be heard! :) 

Today was special for so many reasons, a few of which I would love to record. 

I am grateful for Justin's stalwart priesthood leadership in our home. My heart overflows with joy as I watch him bless our children. It is an honor to follow him. I treasure his leadership and priesthood and recognize this gift and blessing. 

It has always been my experience to watch my children be blessed by a circle of priesthood holders in my family. And there are few moments in my life that I treasure more. We missed our family today, but today was a testament to me of the love and support we have felt here in Nova Scotia. It was moving to watch a large circle form around my daughter of friends and neighbors who have loved and cared about our family over these years. Each one special to us in a unique way. 

Even though we weren't able to be with our family today, we felt warmth, love, and supported by our Canadian family. For this I am so grateful.  

I have been blessed by Helene's talent and goodness once again. This gorgeous gown belongs to sweet little Isla Loren, and both of our girls were able to share it for their special day. Helene also came by the house afterwards to capture my world in these photos. She truly is too good to me. I love these pictures with all of my heart. I don't know what I am going to do when I no longer have my life's photographer! I am so grateful Helene! Thank you!

I am grateful most of all today for the woman and example Loren has been named after. It is our honor and privilege for Loren to carry the name of her Grandmother Elaine Rolfe ~ a woman who both Justin and I love and admire. It is our hope that our daughter will learn from, and model the pattern of  Elaine's powerful exemplary life.  Elaine is tender and strong, kind and good. Her faith, most of all, has  inspired us. Grandma Rolfe is a part of my life by no mistake, and her presence a rich blessing to not only me, but so many in my family. We love her dearly. 

~ I wrote this entry before Loren was born, about choosing her name ~

It is a special time in our home. As we wait for our baby girl to arrive I can't help but think of her, and the sweet addition she will be. Our third child, and second daughter. We feel so very blessed. I have reflected many times during the quiet hours here in Nova Scotia about the women in my life who I admire. Most to top my list are women in my family. My mother first and formost, grandmothers, great grandmothers, sisters, aunts, early saints and ancestors. I think about how their examples teach me and help me want to become a better person. I think of their faith, and courage in raising families and endlessly giving their selfless service. 

 A beautiful song filled my mind and as it played again and again it began to fill my heart in such a way I knew it was a whispering from the Spirit. 

Have you received his image in your countenance?

Does the light of Christ shine in your eyes?

Will He know you when He comes again, because you will be like Him?

When He sees you will the Father know His child?

As I reflected on the words I began to take inventory of myself and asked myself this very question: Have I received His image in my countenance? I thought long and hard about the areas of my life I know I could improve upon, and knew the answer was sadly NO. Then I asked, Who has? Who has received Christ this fully? Instantly, I thought of Grandma Rolfe, and knew in my heart this song was true of her. The light of Christ shines not only in her eyes but in her whole countenance. 

The spirit confirmed this to me, and I knew in that moment without any doubt the name we would give our daughter. 

*

My dear little Loren Elaine, these words often remind me of you ~

May the angels protect you, 

trouble neglect you, 

and heaven accept you when it's time to go home.

May you always have plenty, 

the glass never empty, 

and know intently, you're never alone. 

May your tears come from laughing,

you find friends worth having,

as every year passes they mean more than gold.

May you win and stay humble, 

smile more than grumble,

and know when you stumble, you're never alone.

Loren, you are loved deeply in this family you were given. Your older siblings adore you with all that they are! You have been blessed with an amazing father ~ The best there is, this I promise you. He is a gift in your life. Your soul is wise just like his. Look to him always for guidance. He will be there for you. Your mother's prayer is that you will honor your good name, love your family, and use your passion, strength, and will to stand in the light of Christ. You are a blessing in our family. ~ Our Treasure. We love you.

 From left to right: Brother Dale Smith, Ryan Millet, Nathan Smith, Brandon Griffin, Elder Tiffany, Bishop Macyntire, and Brother Josh Blakeney. Not pictured: Brother Patrick Hunt, Michael Brade, Byron Peacock, and Taylor Farland