Simply Beautiful Chaos

Heaven

2012-01-25T23:58:00.000-07:00

"A happy family is but an early heaven."

~George Bernard Shaw

So... What does that say for moments like these?

Lasting effects...

2012-01-24T22:37:00.000-07:00

Sharpie Eyebrows.

Awesome.

"Sir, would you like a cookie?"

2012-01-19T22:26:00.001-07:00

There I was, on flight 138 from Denver to Dallas; comfortable enough reading Hemingway and surprisingly indifferent to the slumping Pickwickian in the next seat who with head forward, chin on chest, was leaning rightward into my left arm. That’s when I heard it. “Attention passengers. We will now begin to hand out our world famous homemade chocolate chip cookies.” Oh no! Today isn’t my free day! What do I do? Keep reading, Bryan. Focus. That’s the key, just keep reading. You can do this.

Though my eyes were reading the words on the page, my mind was elsewhere in a philosophical debate with my own devil’s advocate. Perhaps this calls for an about-face? Today can be a free day, right? Better late than never if a world famous chocolate chip cookie is at stake. Hmmm. No. I want my free day to mean more. Chocolate chip cookie yes, but I want it to mean so much more. There is so much to indulge in within the world of chocolate. I’ll wait. It’s only one cookie.

With resolve to remain strong, the climax of temptation arrived suddenly and without warning. Completely blindsided I smelled it. Not only are they sensuous chocolate chip cookies, but they’re warm! Oh no! Oh no!! It’s amazing that the human nose can distinguish not only the smell, but the temperature. Now it’s hard. Really?!? Curse you, Frontier Airlines! She’s right behind me now. Only two rows back. I can hear her asking repeatedly, “Would you like a cookie?” Duh! Who wouldn’t??? Me?!? I can make it a free day. No big deal. I have seven to burn. One row away now. Be strong. One cookie isn’t worth it. I’ll be at the hotel soon, with nothing to supplement this one scrumptious cookie with. Only cheap candy bars from the gift shop. No, it’s not worth it. Don’t blow free day. The conference will have break tables on all three days. I’ve seen them before, packed to the gills with brownies AND chocolate chip cookies. Lots of them. But they’re not warm. But there are many. Hmmm.

“Sir, would you like a cookie?” she says, as two warm cookies float to my left inches from my nose and mouth en route to window and middle seat. I try to appear as if untempted, just coming to the surface of consciousness from the world of Hemingway. “Oh, no thank you,” I say with a smile. Little does she know the fury of the debate, the giving in and the standing tall. In the end I conquered. Partly. In the hour of my greatest need, I reasoned that the sense of taste is seventy five percent smell and only twenty five percent taste. So if I close my eyes and savor the smell as deeply as I can I will consume seventy five percent of that delicious cookie, while ingesting zero calories. It’s like diet cookie. So I do just that. Ahhh! Chocolate chip! So so good! Frontier does have some of the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Especially warm. Mmm mmm. Great job, Bryan. You got the cookie and kept your free day! You did it!

Can’t wait ‘til Saturday…

Say "CHEESE!"

2012-01-16T14:12:00.001-07:00

When your married life and budding family begin in Wisconsin,

you can't help yourself from becoming CHEESE HEADS.

We are Packer Fans all the way!

When Jacob was 2 months old we headed to The Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field

and put his name on the season ticket holders list.

We were told that Bryan and I would never live long enough

for our names to be called upon to purchase tickets.

And Jacob (remember, he was 2 months at the time)

may not live long enough for his name to be called.

BUT HIS GRANDCHILDREN may become eligible for his season tickets!

(WHAT?!?!)

So it was with this hope that Bryan and I placed Jacobs name on the waiting list:

#32, 497

You are welcome, great-grandchildren.

My favorite thing about these pictures is that they are all taken between the hours of 4am-7:30am.

The kids make a great attempt to Keep the Sabbath Day Holy.

Sunday afternoon we turn off all phones, computers, radios, and connection to the world

in an attempt to keep the score of the recorded game a surprise.

The kids go to bed (but certainly can't fall asleep for hours) early on Sunday night

in preparation to wake up early on Monday morning.

We don't have the typical football food as we watch the recorded game.

But breakfast foods have never been finer: sweet rolls, orange julius, bacon, eggs, and muffins!

Go PACKERS!

SUPERBOWL CHAMPS 2011

Give us this day our daily bread

2012-01-14T11:49:00.003-07:00

This picture tells a beautiful story.

Not really the beginning of a story. And certainly not the end.

It's somewhere in the middle. Just a tiny moment, really.

I suppose the story could go on without this moment,

but my heart is so grateful that it doesn't.

Setting:

Small and inviting kitchen on Dixie Drive, not ostentatious,

but updated in 1996 (a much needed blessing in Mom's life).

Typical Sunday morning.

Characters and Storyline:

Dad/Grandpa- walking out the door, large print scriptures in hand, faith and obedience in his heart, heading to a meeting (but only after a tender kiss and quick witted comment for his adoring wife.)

Mom/Grandma- dressed for church since the crack of dawn, adorned with string of pearls and apron, preparing homemade rolls for yet another beautiful and much appreciated

(though it's seldom or adequately expressed) Sunday Dinner with her family

whom she obviously and unselfishly lives her life.

Grandkids- contently at Grandma's side with floured hands,

learning first hard from Grandma's wisdom and example,

the things that make all the difference in making rolls

and the things that make all the difference in living life.

Occasionally sneaking a bite of sweet dough.

Blessed Daughter- witnessing the scene she has been a part of countless times before,

with new eyes and an overflowing and grateful heart.

Plot:

Passing on a legacy of faith and happiness to another generation through daily example

(Recipe makes 32 rolls and a happy family.)

Mom's Sunday Dinner Rolls
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 Tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoon yeast
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 cup milk, scald in microwave for 2 minutes
1/2 cup sugar
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 Tablespoon salt
5 cups flour

Mix water, sugar and yeast in small bowl and let rest. Melt butter in microwave, then add milk and scald in microwave. To milk add and mix sugar, eggs salt, and 1/2 of flour. Add yeast mixture and mix. Then add remaining flour and knead until well mixed.

Cover and let rise until doubled. Punch down and divid dough into four. Roll out each ball of dough into a circle and cut pizza style into eight pieces. Roll each section into crescent roll and place on baking sheet. Rise again, then bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Will I ever have a daughter-in-law?

2012-01-13T19:09:00.001-07:00

We believe in date nights.

Usually Bryan and I take the kids out together for one-on-one dates.

Occasionally we split up; Dad takes the girls, Mom takes the boys.

I took the boys to dinner hoping to enjoy meaningful and instructional conversation.

Me: "Boys, the day will come when you will be out to dinner with a girl you really like. You will need to be the one to encourage conversation. What are some questions you could ask her to get the conversation going?"

And without hesitation, as if they lay awake in bed each night preparing for such a moment, they fired off their responses....

Jake: "So.... how old ARE you?!"

Hayden: "Are you married?"

Seth: "Do you even have a soul?"

*sigh*....I have A LOT of work to do.

I sure love these boys!

(And it's a good thing. Considering the way they carry a conversation,

I could be stuck with them for quite a while.)

Mia's first cast

2012-01-12T22:45:00.002-07:00

On September 2nd Amelia had an insignificant fall off the swing in our back yard.

Insignificant except for the fact that it lead to a cast.

She was remarkably brave.

Cast color of choice?

Pink, of course.

Amelia was quite please with her new Pink cast!

They lead to lots of attention and pampering!

But apparently casts also lead to frustrating situations such as this:

(I'm still not sure how this happened,

but I'm sure glad I had my camera ready!)

Pretty in Pink... and Hunter's Orange

2012-01-10T23:30:00.004-07:00

Aubree is the quintessential girl:

Natural mother to all her siblings,
Unsurprisingly obedient,
Inspiring cellist and pianist,
Silky golden locks and long black eyelashes,
Unassuming and kind,
Always aware of where each family member has placed lost items,
Excellent student,
Pretty in pink,
Blood thirsty hunter.

Okay, 'blood thirsty' is a little dramatic.

But she does have an amazing 'eye'. From the tender age of 2 she could spot animals

on mountain tops from miles away which were invisible to the rest of the family,

with the exception of her bloodthirstyhunterfather.

She is a natural hunter.

So when she finally came of age she was invited to join the hunting party.

Oh, happy day!

The hunting party. 18 men (not all pictured). 1 young lady.

And may I say a word about this hunting party?

I love them all.

Every single red-necked one of 'em.

Me: "So how was it hunting for six days with 18 men?! How did you survive?"

Aubree's report: "Mom, they were really so awesome to me! Every meal we ate they made me dish up and sit down first because I was the lady!"

Bless these sweet gentlemen who taught my daughter how she deserves to be treated.

(And Bryan reported a notable decrease in burping when she was present.)

See? Gentlemen.

From sun up....

To sun down....

...Aubree was a tough trooper!

And she looked ADORABLE while doing it!

ADORABLE, I tell you!!!

Enjoying their 'day of rest' together.

(Could a wife and mother be more proud?)

Posing with "Max"(note the antler sticking out of the middle of his head!)

The kill for the year (shot by other members of their hunting party.)

Though they didn't have much luck with the elk,

it was a pretty successful week together!

After a week in the wild she is still pretty in pink...

...and hunter's orange.

If ye are prepared ye shall not fear

2012-01-09T21:53:00.002-07:00

For Family Home Evening we discussed the principle of being prepared,

brainstormed some scenario's of natural disasters that could occur in our area,

then pulled out our 72 hour kits to see how well we were prepared.

I sent the kids to their rooms with their separate back packs

and asked each of them to put on the clothes that we had packed in our kits for each of them

last time we 'prepared' ourselves.

I think this picture adequately shows how well (or not) we are prepared....

The Wilcox family is officially FEARFUL.

What's the going rate for tomatoes?

2011-11-01T15:03:00.012-06:00

I love tomatoes!

Did you know that there are over 7500 varieties of tomatoes?

I bet I would love them all.

I also love to GROW tomatoes.

When we lived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Bryan built me

a container garden on our small little deck.

When we lived in Syracuse, New York Bryan built me

garden boxes made from the wood we found in our neighbors garbage pile.

When we moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado Bryan built me bigger and better garden boxes built out of wood we bought from an actual store!

It was easy to garden in Milwaukee.

It was easy to garden in Syracuse.

But Colorado Springs has presented a whole herd of problems!

Here are a few reasons I suspect life to be hard for my little flora-friends...

Altitude.

(6700 feet above sea level makes breathing hard for all life forms...

especially when life forms try to go on the occasional run!)

Hail.

(nickel-sized to quarter-sized hail will take the life out of car hoods,

not to mention fragile plant leaves and fruit!)

Wild life.

(rapidly reproducing rabbits, greedy deer, and the occasional bear. Grow your own food!!!)

But this good man here on the right and his trusty side-kicks

were determined to give me tomatoes!!!

Lots of soda for the laborers means lots of cans to crush....

someone had to do it!

Is there anything better than seeing your children hard at work under the tutelage of your husband? I think not.

The end result?

A pergola impervious to those greedy deer

and.....

...lots of TOMATOES!!!!

I love tomatoes!

Correction: I LIKE tomatoes.

I LOVE my husband!

P.S. The going rate for this here bowl of tomatoes?

DON'T EVEN ASK!

Maroon Bells

2011-10-27T22:29:00.007-06:00

Some people say marriage is challenging.

I say marriage is beautiful.

Some people say climbing a mountain is challenging.

I say climbing a mountain is beautiful.

Just look at this mountain!

Beautiful.

This is Maroon Bells.

For our 15th anniversary Bryan and I wanted to do something challenging.

We woke at 4am, drove from Aspen to the Maroon Bell trail head,

and embarked on a crazy adventure!

See how happy I look?

(I had no idea what I was in for!)

Bryan is a seasoned climber. He has climbed about fifteen 14ers

(peaks over 14,000 feet) in Colorado.

A kiss for good luck before our climb to the summit!

It was about HERE that we began to realized what we were in-for...

(look at the steep grade on the "easy" part of our hike)

Refueling break.

Isn't this an amazing view?

Boulder fields are a killer.

Thank heaven for trekking poles.

Finally reached the summit

(or at least the 'false summit)

There's the REAL summit!

It was another 2 hours from this point.

The mountain goats in the back ground followed us.... mocking us the whole way.

What creature in their right mind would live on rocky cliffs?!?!

We climbed up chimney's...

...down chimney's.....

...across ledges...

...and hours and hours of climbing up,up, up.....

...to the top of the world!!!

It's so great to know you can't possibly climb any higher!

Challenging climb? Yes.

Worth it? Absolutely.

Beautiful sites to behold!

A kiss for good luck on our descent.

(We should have kissed much longer! We needed more luck!

The descent kicked our tails!)

Ha! These are picture that I would typically delete in about two nano-seconds.

However.

I can't describe how tired we felt!

These pictures give a bit of a clue!

We didn't make it back to our truck until 11pm... 17 hours of non stop climbing!

Oh, my aching legs!

Some people say climbing a mountain is challenging.

Some people say marriage is challenging.

And they are right.

BUT!

Mountain climbing is challenging but also beautiful.

And Marriage is challenging but also very beautiful.

Especially when you achieve your goals together.

Happy 15th Anniversary!

Guns 'n Roses

2011-10-15T08:55:00.005-06:00

Traditional picture:

Mamma enjoying breakfast in bed with the kids on Mother's Day

Non-Traditional picture:

Mamma enjoying breakfast in bed with the kids on Mother's Day...

with a gun.

Bryan is a great gift giver.

Every year for Mother's Day he gives me something that enhances my mothering skills.

Such as a gun (?!)

Happy Mother's Day!

Bella Notte

2011-10-10T21:35:00.009-06:00

Could there be a more romantic dinner?

"Oh this is the night, it's a beautiful night

And we call it bella notte..

"Look at the skies, they have stars in their eyes

On this lovely bella notte.

Side by side with your loved one, You'll find enchantment here...

"The night will weave its magic spell,

When the one you love is near!

"Oh this is the night, and the heavens are right!

On this lovely bella notte!"

To celebrate Valentine's Day together we enjoyed our own

Lady and the Tramp Spaghetti Dinner

Things started out fairly clean...

...but things went down hill pretty fast!

After dinner we played a family favorite:

Tag + Socks + Newly Polished Hardwood Floors = Lots of Laughing!

We ended the night with a treasure hunt.

1. Find hidden hearts

2. Stick hearts to Mom's and Dad's face.

3. Get a piece of candy AND a kiss!

Family = L-O-V-E

The other women

2011-10-05T08:00:00.002-06:00

Sometimes my husband goes out with other women. And they are beautiful women.

I should be jealous, but I encourage it, really.

Each year around Valentines Day Bryan asks these two beauties

to accompany him to dinner and an evening of dancing.

They get all dolled up in their best dresses, paint their nails,

and even dab on a little of mom's favorite perfume.

In a year or two he'll have a third beauty

hanging on this arm and competing for his attention.

They just can't get enough of him.

I can't say I blame them.

He is a lucky man.

And they are VERY lucky girls!

Dumb Things Boys Do

2011-10-04T08:27:00.000-06:00

Ready!

Set!

Go!!!

"Mom. Don't ask 'Why?'

Ask 'Why not?!' "

~A guiding Proverb in Jacob's life

The Valentine Boxes

2011-09-29T14:31:00.000-06:00

Elementary School wouldn't be the same

without the annual home-made Valentine Boxes

which return home filled with too much sugar

and your class mate's John Hancock scribbled across Snoopy's face

(or whichever cartoon character or teenage heart throb

is currently invading homes across America.)

Hayden created a "Phineas and Ferb" concert stage.

(a favorite cartoon among the kids... can't say I mind it too much myself!)

Aubree, anxious to be done with elementary school and moving on to middle school,

created a "Locker" to receive her loot.

And Seth creatively recreated the home of the beloved "Sponge Bob Square Pants"

(another cartoon known to make a few of us giggle.)

Bring on the love notes!

School Pictures

2011-09-28T14:02:00.000-06:00

Even if I had 200 extra buckaroos to give to the school photographer, I wouldn't do it.

But they ask me to. Every stinkin' year!

I could have my kids run around as if playing a heated game of soccer

until you could smell the sweat through the picture,

have them smudge some of their lunch on their face,

ask them to give me a fake smile,

and shoot the picture just as easily here at home

and KEEP the $200!

So I did.

We had our own 'school pictures' in our front yard.

Much more pleasant. Much more affordable. Much more real.

Eve, age 1.....

Always at mom's feet

Amelia, age 3....

Mom's little shadow

Seth, age 6

First Grade

Hayden, age 8

Third Grade

Aubree, age 10

Fifth Grade

Jacob, age 12

Seventh Grade

Group shots?... a different story.

I need to pay someone else to do this part.

The lighting...

terrible

The kids...

no one could look at the camera at the same time or keep their hands down

And Eve?....

... she was DONE!

I'm outta here!

Grown-up Things

2011-09-27T13:37:00.002-06:00

For Aubree's 7th Birthday the two of us spent the evening together

dining and enjoying thought provoking conversation about the happenings in first grade.

Neither of us ordered from the kids menu. That's for kids.

Aubree was turning SEVEN after all.

We ordered grown-up things like appetizers, salads, and grown-up drinks

(minus the alcohol... because we are we are not only grown-ups, but we are also wise.)

Then,

we threw all caution to the wind and did the most grown-up thing we could think to do...

we rushed to the mall and had Aubree's ears pierced!

She is simply adorable

(in a very grown-up sort of way, of course.)

Happy 7th Birthday, my beautiful baby girl!

This is about all the growing up I want you to do!

Future Champion

2011-09-26T22:08:00.001-06:00

Hayden had his first football game and I sadly missed it.

This was the conversation at home later that day:

Mom: "How was your game, Hayden?"

Hayden: "We played GREAT!"

Mom: "Yeah? Did you win?"

Hayden: "No, but we only lost by seven."

Older brother listening in: "Touchdowns, Hayden...

you lost by SEVEN touchdowns!"

"Winning is great, sure, but if you are really going to do something in life,

the secret is learning how to loose.

Nobody goes undefeated all the time.

If you can pick up after a crushing defeat

and go on to win again,

you are going to be a champion someday."

~Wilma Rudolph,

the first American woman runner to win three gold medals at a single Olympics

(1940-1994)

Future Champion:

Hayden McConkie Wilcox

A Powerful Missionary

2011-09-20T12:19:00.001-06:00

Five years ago today Bryan tenderly helped my pregnant body into our minivan and drove us to the hospital, no words exchanged but every emotion shared between us. This was our fifth pregnancy. Our first four children came while Bryan was in medical school or residency. Very busy times. Very limited time together. We were ready for another baby now. Bryan was excited to be an active part of this baby’s bath times, feedings, lullabies and even sleepless nights. But those lullabies would have to wait.

Five days earlier I had been preparing for a Relief Society lesson I would be teaching. The topic was ‘missionary work’. It was while preparing this lesson that I received a distinct and sudden impression that this child would be a powerful missionary. I know the title ‘missionary’ is not gender specific, but in that moment I knew I our baby was a boy; a powerful boy who would be a powerful missionary, and I felt humbled to be the vessel giving him a body to accomplish this work. He was very active that day as I prepared my lesson as if to say, “Yes! I WILL be an amazing missionary preaching the Gospel!”

A few days after this experience I was laying on the sonogram table in the doctor’s office waiting for them to confirm what I already knew: this was indeed a boy. What I wasn’t prepared for was the look on the doctor’s face or the words of condolence he offered when he told me that the baby’s heart was no longer beating.

Dr. Baer gave me the medication to induce the contractions. Bryan walked with me through the hospital halls and around the hospital grounds (we even walked an extra block to the Olympic Training Center facilities to look at the statues in the garden) as I breathed through contractions and waited to deliver our baby boy’s body.

The labor took eight hours. The same amount of time labor had taken with our other children. His body was tiny; five months developed. His entire hand fit on the tip of Bryan’s finger with room to spare. He weighed nothing in my hands. He weighed everything in my heart.

There were no newborn cries in my hospital room; only my silent tears as I cried for our loss. I mourned the unrealized dreams of bath times, feedings, lullabies, and even sleepless nights. But I also cried tears of gratitude for the comfort and sustaining peace in that room. It was my nurse who put to words the feelings of my heart. She had been my nurse during the delivery. The next morning when she came to my hospital room she quietly said, “I hope it’s okay if I tell you.... your room feels.... reverent… like there is a strong power, but it’s quiet.” Those were beautiful words: Reverent. A strong power. Quiet. And she was right. It was palpable.

A few days later I reread some notes I had made the week before as I prepared to teach about missionary work. My notes struck me different this time. From Wilford Woodruff: “Millions of people have been born in the flesh, have lived and have gone to the grave, who never saw the face of a prophet in their lives; never saw a man that was called of God and had power to administer in one of the ordinances of the House of God. Will God condemn them because they did not receive the Gospel? Not at all.

God is no respecter of persons; he will not give privileges to one generation and withhold them from another; and the whole human family, from father Adam down to our day, have got to have the privilege, somewhere, of hearing the gospel of Christ; and the generations that have passed and gone without hearing that gospel in its fullness, power and glory, will never be held responsible by God for not obeying it. Neither will he bring them under condemnation for rejecting a law they never saw or understood; and if they live up to the light they had they are justified so far, and they have to be preached to in the spirit world.”

For a moment I had believed that I would teach my baby boy and prepare him to preach the gospel as a missionary on this earth. Now my spiritual eyes were opened and my heart understood that he had already been prepared to preach the gospel in a place where people were waiting anxiously to be taught by a powerful missionary.

We named our son Ammon.

(We planted this pine tree in remembrance of Ammon.)

Pink.

2010-11-03T09:31:00.001-06:00

"Amelia, What would you like for your birthday?"

"PINK!"

"Pink, what?"

"I don't care... just PINK!"

"Okaaaaay.... What would you like to do on your birthday?"

"Play PINK!"

"How do you 'Play PINK'?"

"I'll teach you."

PINK is exhausting!

Happy 3rd Birthday Amelia!

8 years of livin' it up!

2010-06-07T00:00:00.003-06:00

If Hayden is going to do anything....

..... he is going to do it right!

If he is going sledding....

...he wants to know how the snow tastes.

If Hayden is going to have an addiction...

...he will certainly have those addictions accessible.

If he is going to eat spaghetti at Christmas time...

...it will be topped with lots of maple syrup (reference "Elf")

If he is going fishing...

...he will be getting a little muddy.

If he is going to a Monday night football game...

...face paint is a must (especially if he is cheering against his dad's team!)

If he is getting ready for church...

...he'll play Super Hero first.

If he is going to turn 8 and get baptized....

...he will make sure he is surrounded by people who love him.

If he is going to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints....

...he is going to make sure he knows the gospel.

If Hayden is going to keep getting older...

I want to make sure he knows I'm loving every day I have with him!

Happy Birthday Hayden!!!

Seth's Six Secrets

2010-04-08T12:28:00.002-06:00

Seth turned SIX on April 6th!

Here are a few SECRETS I'll share

for his GOLDEN BIRTHDAY....

#1. Seth actually LIKES getting kisses from his mom and dad.

(But don't tell!)

#2. Seth likes to play "SUPERMAN"

on the moving sidewalk at the airport

when mom and dad aren't looking.

(But don't tell them what I'm up to!)

{Oh! Hi, mom and dad!}

#3. Seth likes to jump on the couch when mom and dad aren't looking.

(But don't tell mom and dad how he got so good at doing flips!)

#4. Seth occasionally indulges his sisters and plays dress up.

(But don't tell his future girlfriends!)

#5. Nothing, and I mean NOTHING,

is more important to Seth than sneaking an extra

daily vitamin.

(Shhhh!)

#6. Seth sometimes has a messy face.

Did I say 'sometimes'?

I meant 'ALWAYS'.

Sometimes the messy face even surprises Seth.

(He is so edible!)

Pssst. Here's MY secret:

I adore EVERYTHING about this boy!

He's my hero!

Happy Birthday Seth!

What does "10" look like?

2010-02-21T22:10:00.001-07:00

1 year of so-happy-to-have-you...

2 years of sweetness...

3 years of tea party dress-ups...

4 years of dancing...

5 years of dreaming...

6 years of smiles...

7 years of hugs...

8 years of silliness...

9 years of laughing...

10 years of pure joy!

Happy Birthday Aubree!

We love you to the moon and back!

Christmas Morning Faces

2010-02-18T12:54:00.001-07:00

Christmas Eve Nativity

2010-02-18T12:14:00.001-07:00

Roasted Starbursts! (aka: desperate FHE treat)

2010-02-06T20:29:00.001-07:00

Try this:

Roast a Starburt over a candle

on the end of a skewer...

It is done when it is bubbling but not yet burnt.

Don't burn your mouth!

Happy Family Home Evening Treat!

Merry Christmas!

2010-02-06T19:13:00.001-07:00

Wilcox Family Highlights of 2009
-Eve Isabelle Wilcox: born September 17th, 7 pounds 5 ounces, our 6th,

never cries.... sweet justice!, played "Baby Jesus in the church Nativity,

abundantly loved by our family.

-Amelia (2): perpetually wandering off, first pair of "squeaky shoes", cutest laugh and voice ever, tells everyone "SHHHHH! I don't want it!" when she doesn't like what she is being told.

-Seth (5): kindergarten, world record for 'longest loose tooth' (it's been hanging by a thread since September), light sabers, roller-skating, our absent-minded professor, dimples.

-Hayden (7): began piano lessons, basketball, Broncos fan, contagious laugh, organized, hard worker.

-Aubree (9): school basketball team, cello, piano, football fan, mom's best helper, considerate.

-Jacob (12): Aaronic Priesthood, middle school, piano, basketball, fun sense of humor, sweet big brother; football, football, football.

-Jamica (30 something, closer to 30 than 40): laundry, won McConkie family Pike's Peak award, piano lessons, doll house with Amelia, cherishing the beautiful chaos of motherhood; kids, kids, kids.

-Bryan (30 something, definitely closer to 40 than 30): work, hiking, shot first elk- 6 point magnificent bull, piano lessons, catch with kids, still trying to persuade lovely wife to hang elk in our home.

We count YOU- our family and friends- among our greatest blessings.

May the peace of our Savior be with you all year.

"And EVERY knee shall bow"

2010-02-06T15:37:00.001-07:00

"...and EVERY knee shall bow, and EVERY tongue shall confess... and give glory to him"

Sometimes I learn the most poignant of lessons

by simply observing

the way my two year old plays.

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas tree

2010-01-07T12:59:00.001-07:00

There are some tree-mendous benefits

to living in the great state of Colorado.

We spent a few pleasant hours hiking through

the beautiful mountains and warm sunshine of Colorado

to find the perfect Christmas tree.

Is there anything more symbolic

than seeing freshly cut trees atop cars full of families

to herald the beginning of the Christmas Season?

They always look smaller in the forrest!

Ice storm beauty

2010-01-07T12:48:00.001-07:00

I love photography

(meaning, "I love that other people know how

to take beautiful pictures.")

I, on the other hand,

don't know how to capture beautiful pictures

but sometimes the beauty of God

placed before us in nature

can't help but be captured-

even by an amateur like me!

Sacred Milestones

2010-01-07T11:59:00.001-07:00

On November 1, 2009 our family had two milestone events

occur upon the same sacred day.

Our oldest child

Jacob Bryan Wilcox

was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood

our youngest Child

Eve Isabelle Wilcox

was given a name and a blessing.

What a beautiful day!

(Thank you dear friend Becki- beckimadsenphotography.blogspot.com-

for helping us capture the sweet spirits of our children!)

Happy Halloween!

2010-01-07T11:33:00.001-07:00

Nothing scary about this crew!

Aunt Laura came for a visit and made

crayon costumes for Aubree and herself! Adorable!

Seth was Darth Vadar, naturally.

Amelia wore the clown costume the my Mom made

for my little brother (who is now 28!)

And Eve and I were the perfect Farmer & Pea-in-a-pod duo.

Fleeting Moments

2010-01-07T10:26:00.001-07:00

Eve is my sixth baby.

I've learned a few things during my years as a mother.

Well... maybe only two things.

But these two thing alone are worth learning.

#1 The sleepless nights don't last forever.

#2 The sweet newborn phase doesn't last forever either.

They grow much too quickly.

The moments are fleeting.

Luckily a Mothers Heart captures these moments,

...where they are planted,

...and they become even more sweet

with time.

Work Hard, Play Hard

2010-01-07T09:33:00.001-07:00

Last Fall (I'm obviously doing some catch up blogging)

we spent a great day working together.

We keep our trailer (our Poor-Mans Cabin)

in a beautiful spot called "Trout Haven."

Conversations usually go like this:

Parents: "Let's go spend the weekend at Trout Haven, Kids!"

Kids: *whining* "But there are no electronic devices up there

in which we can rot our minds!"

It takes two deep breaths of mountain air for the kids to

change their minds and begin working on their reasons for

never leaving Trout Haven.

This weekend we put up a couple of swings in the trees.

It's amazing how much fun a kid can have when you put them to work!

(aka: putting a sharp ax in their hands!)

"Guess what, Mom?!"

2010-01-07T09:05:00.001-07:00

I was going to wash off the lip gloss before heading to the store,

but on second thought...

the generously applied lip gloss may be just the thing necessary

to draw the attention from

her shorts (it's FREEZING outside),

her loud socks

and her shoes on the wrong feet-

all of which she refuses to change.

Amelia is so stubborn.

Amelia makes me so tired.

But she's a smart cookie:

Whenever she hears me sigh

(typically as a result of her actions)

she promptly says,

"Guess what, Mom?!"

*another tired sigh*

"What, Amelia?"

"I LOVE YOU!!!"

Amelia also makes me so happy!

Happy 12th Birthday Jacob!!!

2009-10-26T22:09:00.002-06:00

Happy 12th Birthday Jacob!

Jake has grown up all too fast, but some things about growing up are great for both Jake and his mom and dad. For instance, most kids request mac 'n cheese for their birthday meal, and Jacob wanted ribs (and egg nog...of course). Here he is chowing on his slab of ribs on his birthday. We love you Jacob!!! We are so proud of you for your desire to live the gospel and receive the priesthood. Here are some pictures of his birthday party and some other photos of the past year.

Love,

Mom and Dad

Bryan's real “Elk”

2009-10-25T00:36:00.002-06:00

Here are some long overdue pictures of the bull shot 2 weeks ago. Can’t believe it’s been 2 weeks already (Kinda feels wrong to be so excited about an elk when I have a beautiful new baby to show off, but how often do you shoot such a tremendous elk? Babies…well they seem to come along every other year….).

Here is my perspective of the elk from where I shot. 8 cows came out of the aspen on the far left (most of leaves appear to be off) and walked left to right to the crown of the hill and then stopped. The bull followed them out about 15 seconds later. (elk is down b/w the aspen and the crown of the hill).

Thinking of putting this one in my office lobby.... "the doctor will see you now."

The dangers of a 60 second shower

2009-09-23T17:52:00.001-06:00

When one has a new baby, they usually are wise to reconsider their priorities.

Adoring my New Baby,

Cuddling my Older Kiddos, &

Loving my Perfect Husband topped my list.

I didn't think a 60 second shower was an unreasonable second priority.

Apparently I was wrong.....

I thought I'd taken the proper precautions: house doors locked, bedroom/bathroom door locked with new baby securely buckled in her bouncy chair on the floor, and toddler preoccupied with books and toys on the bedroom floor. My shower was short. Really it was.

But alas, here is the scene I found:

Though Eve can't speak,

I think she was trying to give me a clue as to what happened

with her eyes.

The bright side?

With all that lotion she will now have

BABY-SOFT skin!

Tomorrows blog: How to take a 30 second shower.

A few more angles.....

2009-09-23T15:29:00.001-06:00

For our family out of state (which is nearly all our family)

requesting more, more, MORE!!!

Here are a few snapshot of the first week of her life!

She sure is fun!

Welcome to our family, Eve!!!

2009-09-23T12:53:00.001-06:00

The kids could hardly contain their excitement in the final days

as we anticipated our baby's birth!

And the actual event was just as thrilling as they'd imagined

(well... Amelia doesn't look too thrilled, but I can assure you she was!)

This was their first peek at their forever sister!

While most babies are welcomed into the world with softly sung lullaby's,

Eve was welcomed with a heart felt, albeit off-key, rendition of Happy Birth-day!

They even brought an Oreo birthday cake!

(The chocolate cake crumbs in the hospital bed that night reminded me that

I am blessed

and

motherhood is never boring!)

..... but motherhood certainly is rewarding!!!

Proud Daddy is in love...

... and for good reasons.

Jacob meets Eve.

(Our oldest and youngest.)

Aubree gives Eskimo Kisses.

Hayden is so tender with his Sister....

... and Seth is a gentle giant.

And Amelia is just happy, happy, happy!!!

Let's take her HOME!

Eve Isabelle Wilcox!

2009-09-23T11:08:00.001-06:00

Today I met my baby girl.

It is a reality that doesn't fully hit you until they place her in your arms.

The weekly doctor's visits, growing belly, and uncomfortable contractions

all provide a foreshadowing;

but you never fully comprehend how much and how quickly

you will fall in love and have your life forever changed

until she is there-- in your arms;

until you feel her soft skin, smell her sweet breath, and touch her tiny hands and feet.

And in that moment you forget that there ever was a time when you didn't know her;

a time when your life didn't revolve around her;

a time when you were not complete.

Being reintroduced to my children after a few earthly years

or a few eternal moments apart

is one of my favorite experiences upon this earth.

The veil between heaven and earth is so thin

as these sweet spirits enter their mortal life.

What a time of joy!

What a privilege to be part of that process.

Eve was born at 4:10pm on September 17th, 2009.

She weighed 7 pounds 5 ounces & is 20 inches long.

She is perfect.

Welcome to our hearts Eve!

"Elk"

2009-09-06T17:19:00.002-06:00

Here is "Elk," my deer. Got it last week. Seth said we should call it "Elk," and after going to Rocky Mtn. NP on Memorial Day weekend and seeing thousands of real elk, that's what Mia calls anything in the deer family. So this is Elk. I guess it's a fitting name since it was supposed to be an elk. The mount turned out nice. Elk is a good looking buck - good coloration. He is likely the last deer I'll ever shoot since we don't really care for deer meat.

So there you go. Maybe I'll actually get an elk this year and we can call him Buck or something.

Bryan

Like Father, Like Son

2009-03-29T22:16:00.003-06:00

When Seth saw Bryan put on his PJ's he was THRILLED to realize that he had similar PJ's in his own drawer. He ran to his room and came back yelling, "We are matching!!!" And boy are they ever!

Seth is the spittin' image of his dad at age 4 (almost 5). They are even both number 4 in the family line-up (even the exact same boy/girl order!) They have the same temperament and quirks.

And they are both super easy to fall in love with!!!

An Edible Girl....

2009-03-09T13:18:00.001-06:00

Amelia is my quintessential girl.

At age 18 months she love to be in the kitchen on a stool

(especially if something sweet is in the works!).

Couldn't you just eat her?!

Jake & Aubree at Cotillion Graduation

2009-03-08T22:29:00.001-06:00

If you click "view all images" you can see the pics better.

Excited for our sixth!!

2009-02-11T23:08:00.001-07:00

Jame, based on my vasectomy comment mentioned in the other post, and others similar to it, I expect that you must feel that I reluctantly await this birth. I just want you to know that I am excited to have our sixth baby! Our life together with our kids is tremendous, and I love going on this journey of life together with you. It's fun to go down the road of life and encounter the unexpected turns and views that we are blessed to experience. I was looking at some of our family pictures on my screensaver today in between patients and saw this one with Amelia and I realize that these moments are all too fleeting, and I'm looking forward to savoring it a little more this time.

I love you!!!!!!!!

Bryan

A Change of Heart

2009-01-31T09:05:00.001-07:00

We had one of ‘Those Days” today. It was Sunday and it was NOT “a day of rest.’

By 7:45am I had issued 7 time outs (we only have 5 children, one of them being less than a year and a half in age…. not quite old enough for a time out- but close!), cleaned up 2 bowls of soggy frosted mini wheat’s that had spilt on the floor (the very floor I had mopped at 1 am… less than seven hours earlier), and had changed my baby into her third church dress (where does she keep finding markers?)

And the day didn’t progress in a positive way. At church my sweet husband who was running interference at one end of the pew while I ran interference at the other leaned over and informed me that he would be calling the urologist the next morning to make an appointment for a vasectomy (a telling sign that it had been a rough day for him as well!) Total Chaos!!!

I was attempting to just “hang on” to my sanity that evening and hoping I would make it through a request to make Rice Crispie Treats. I was counting down the hours until bedtime when the phone rang. It was a girlfriend of mine from high school and college asking if she could come and stay with me for a couple of days. Of course!

Anne, (with an “e”) lives in a different state but would be in town for a couple of days by herself for some “testing.” Anne is my age (which is VERY young, btw) has three adorable girls, one doting husband, and aggressive melanoma that she has been fighting for one year now. Her best treatment options are what brings her to our state. The doctors recently found tumor growth…. thus, more testing.

It’s amazing how a day can go from being one of “Those Days” (*tired sigh and a grumble*) to being one of “Those Days” (*grateful sigh and a full heart*).

Later that evening when 4 ½ year old Seth spilt the entire Super Sized bag of Rice Crispies on the floor and 17 month old Amelia discovered the joy of making them say “snap, crackle, pop” with quick little dancing steps we just abandoned the plan for Rice Crispie Treats, left the mess on the floor, grabbed the bag of marshmellows and a favorite book, and headed for the couch, ready for some serious snuggling. Beautiful Chaos…. I am so blessed.

Anne's blog address is w ardandannecreager.blogspot.com

I am here.

2009-01-31T08:39:00.001-07:00

I’ve had a mental block about Blogging. Bloggers are creative, organized, and perfect. I am ….not. I’ve had the idea that because this blog is archived for eternity it should be flawless. But with the word “Chaos” in the very address and title, doesn’t that make it (both the blog and me) exempt from attempting perfection?

So it is with great hesitation and much pressure from friends and family that I’m entering The Blogging World….. it’s nice to finally be here.