6 Kids...

Last February Clint and I went on a trip to Cancun...

It was a little piece of heaven.

But little did anyone else know that it was also a trip that I will never forget... where we spent many late nights talking about our new little "gift from heaven" that would be coming to our family!

Yes! We were pregnant! And soooo excited! :)

It happened late December, and here we were in Mexico only about 8 weeks along...discussing:

"What should we do with our car that only seats 7?"

"I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl?"

"Our kids are going to be so excited!"

"I hope Kambriella will still love it if it's a brother!" ;) ;)

"How should we arrange bedrooms to make room for a little one?"

"No you're not going to be an old dad, you'll just be an even better dad with all that experience!" ;)

"Yes, we will still have our little get~aways just me and you..." ;)

All of this talk of having "one more baby" had been going on for quite some time...

 a couple of years actually. 

I never really had a certain number in mind when we began our family. I just knew that Heavenly Father would be with us on that one, and that we would know when our family was complete.

After Kambriella was born, we were so happy to have another little girl! But, since she had her heart problems and had to have open heart surgery, I felt like the things we were experiencing were all that we could handle for a time...

Later though, when Kambriella was about 4 years old, I would often think to myself, 

"I wonder if we should have another baby?"...

And that was all it was for quite some time....just a "thought."

Then, last summer it seemed like Heavenly Father kept sending me little "nudges"...

I would think about having a baby...

Clint and I began praying about it in the temple...

I began having strange dreams...the kind you only have when you're pregnant!

One of my dear friends even told me that she had a dream that I was pregnant!

My children all kept making comments that we should have another baby...

They would even remind me that the rides at Disneyland would be much funner with 

an even number of riders!!! :)

Kambriella began praying for a sister...

Then, she began praying for 2 sisters...

I could see very clearly that someone was trying to tell me something!

"I think there is one more sweet little spirit just patiently waiting to join this family!"

But I was till scared.

I had so many different thoughts...

"What if we have more heart problems like Kambriella did?"

"It was too scary to have to go through again"...

5 kids is a lot!!! I've done my part... right???

"I want my children to all be close to each other...what about the gap??"

"Don't I have too much grey hair to think about having another baby?"

As you can see, these thoughts were silly, but nonetheless, they were my thoughts. The more I would question myself the more I realized that I was letting fear and NOT faith direct these thoughts...

So, one day after a very meaningful and spiritual conversation with a dear friend I turned to my scriptures. I don't remember what exactly I had read or where in the scriptures I was even reading...but I do remember the Holy Ghost filling my soul and then I had a very distinct thought...

"What are you afraid of? Faith and fear cannot exist together...show your faith..."

From there on I knew what I needed to do...our family was not complete.

So, prayers continued from Kambriella... :) and they were not in vain!

I knew we were expecting and I could hardly stand to hold the secret in! The only part that really kept me a little scared was the fact that Kambriella kept praying for 2 sisters!!! Would I have twins???

No. There was just 1 baby in the ultrasound and that was perfect for me. :)

This ultrasound picture was from when I was 34 weeks along...and the most clear of all the pictures that I had throughout my pregnancy. I just love how you can see her little arm snuggled up by her face and her perfect little features...

Baby bump... about 14 weeks.

Baby bump...about 18 weeks.

When I was about 20 weeks along I was able to have my big ultrasound where they were able to check everything on the baby to make sure it was developing properly. After the heart problems on Kambriella it was a sure relief to see that there didn't appear to be any problems of any kind. 

I was so grateful.

The Dr. also decided to send me to Primary Children's Hospital to have a fetal echo-cardiogram, which is a detailed test of the baby's heart. This is something that they routinely do when there is a history of any previous heart problems, like Kambriella's.

Let me just tell you, after going in for the test, and anticipating the results, I was completely overcome with love from Heavenly Father as I was leaving the hospital.

After the finished test, the Dr. came in and told me that everything looked great and that our little baby's heart looked as healthy as can be! 

As I entered the elevator that would take me down to my car, tears welled up in my eyes...and as the elevator doors closed, I sobbed out loud...in complete gratitude as I heard the Spirit whisper to me once again...

"What were you afraid of? Your faith is stronger than you think..."

I knew that Heavenly Father was blessing me for bringing one more of His sweet children into the world, and I was so grateful to be His partner in this eternal endeavor.

What a privilege...

AAANNNDDD...with the 20 week ultrasound, we found out that we were having a GIRL!!!!!!!!!:)

This is so awesome. Now the Trickett score is tied ~ 3 to 3!!! (3 girls 3 boys;)

Here is how we told the kids:

I bought Hershey's chocolate bars and colored the "SHE" part with a pink permanent marker and then wrapped them up in a neutral gender baby gift wrap. Then I went to pick Kambriella up from my friend who kept her while I was gone to my appointment. So, lucky for her, she was the first one to get a candy bar and unwrap it...I don't think I need to tell you how excited she was to find out that she was getting a baby SISTER!!! :)

Next, Kambriella and I drove to the High School where I knew Kierra and Carew were waiting for me on their lunch break. They were so excited! They had been watching for me to pull up in front of the school, and as soon as I did they both came out. Kambriella and I handed them their candy bars, they opened them up, and both of them literally squealed out loud for joy!!! 

 Then, Kierra began doing the "Happy Dance! " :)

By this time, Dallin and Gavin were due to be home from school. So, we drove home and presented them with their gifts as well...Happy??? Let's just say that there were Smiles all around. :)

Baby bump...about 23 weeks.

Baby bump...about 33 weeks.

Sunday, August 30th ~ The day before she was born!!!

35 weeks to the day. :)

(Clint was watching me get dressed this morning and said he wanted a picture of my big belly...I'm so glad he did! I think he was prompted to...I'm glad he listened to the Spirit!)

I don't think I will ever forget this weekend.

On Saturday the 29th of August, my Sister~in~laws Ginger, Laura, Cherie, and Sara, and my Mother ~in~law Gerry came to my home to give me a baby shower.

 Little did I know that instead of them coming and bearing "gifts," they had come bearing 3 coolers full of freezer meals for me and my family!!!

They had all been sneaky about setting this up...talking to Clint, sharing menu ideas and what I would want to make for my family if I was the one doing the cooking...

So, as they came and we visited for a bit, I kind of thought it was strange that they had all met up in the garage. (Not the coziest place to chat ;)...

But then as we stood there for a minute making small talk, I began to realize what was happening!

Laura said, "Susette, instead of buying you presents, we all decided to make you a bunch of freezer meals for you and your family, to help you out when the baby comes!"

I think I was literally in shock at first. I really didn't know what to say!!!

As we began shifting things around in all of my freezers, emptying coolers and watching my shelves become PACKED with dinners for my family, I then began to get emotional.

SERIOUSLY???

Dinners for my family for HOW many nights???

Every mother knows how priceless this kind of gift is because TIME is one thing that raising a family takes...and with dinner covered for the next few months, this was only yet another blessing from Heavenly Father delivered to me by the angels in my family.

I remember I didn't really have the words to thank them, and I kind of became speechless as I handed out hugs, wiped my tears away, and expressed gratitude in my heart.

It was the perfect beginning to a beautiful day...I was able to go with them all to lunch at Zupas where we laughed and talked. It was so fun.

Then, as we finished up and I headed back home, Clint and I hopped in the car and drove to the Payson Temple where I was able to go through the temple for her first time with my sweet friend McCall Gill. I was her Temple Prep teacher and today was the day she went through the temple for herself. I remember sitting in the celestial room watching her and her family, looking at my sweet husband with admiration, and thinking of our sweet little angel that would soon be coming to earth...

Then, the next morning was Sunday, August 30th.

We woke up early, got ready for church, and drove to Peterson where my dear friend Lisa was having her son's mission farewell. We were so happy for her family, and happy to be able to be there for this milestone celebration in her son's life. We talked, we ate, and after a while we drove back to Bountiful where we stopped at my sister's house. Later that day as we all sat out on her back patio, I will never forget the conversation we had...

I had been thinking so much about this little baby girl that was going to be born soon.

I specifically remember saying,

"Do you know that if this little girl were to come tomorrow, she would be born on the school deadline!?! Then she would be able to go to school for one year with Kambriella!"

(Little did I know what the next 12 hours would bring!!!)

After dinner with my sister, we headed home and got everyone tucked in bed pretty early that night. Being 8 months pregnant and doing everything we had done over the weekend really made me tired and I was so happy to finally be going to bed early for once! 

Clint and I both couldn't believe that we were actually in bed by 9:00 that night! I also remember him saying to me just before we fell asleep,

 "Wow, I don't think we have been to bed at 9:00 in at least 15 years!!!"

It was a great feeling.

I slept so sound. 

But only until 12:30 a.m.

I had been sleeping so peacefully (which was rare for me these days) when I was abruptly awoken by a firm kick, a loud "POP," and a gushing of water!!!

I was in immediate shock and disbelief as I woke Clint and exclaimed,

"My water just broke!!! And our baby is going to be born on the school deadline!!!"

(The rest of the story to come in the next post!)

  :)

I Love the Gospel of Jesus Christ

There are some things in life that remain constant and unchanging for me...

1) The love that I have for my precious eternal family, and my Savior Jesus Christ ~

2) My testimony and the love that I have for the Gospel of Jesus Christ ~

3) My unfailing devotion to both of these!

Life is full and both rewarding and yet challenging at times too.

But the consistency and devotion to these important things in my life, always keep me focused on what matters most, and where I want to be going...

I have forever loved the simple and pure examples that have been set for me by 

our prophet, apostles, and other church leaders.

 I love listening to their rock solid testimonies every general conference. Then, I look forward with great anticipation to reading and re-reading their talks in the following months.

 My soul hungers and is fed as I continue to listen, study, and implement their teachings into my life.

As their loving words are impressed upon my heart and mind, so are their sweet voices, personalities, and testimonies as well.

Since the last general conference, 3 of our beloved apostles have completed their mortal journey, and have passed through the veil into heaven. I can only imagine the great reunion of loved ones that occurred on the other side.

While these beloved apostles will be greatly missed here, their legacies will live on...along with their words of wisdom that will echo through time.

Elder Boyd K. Packer

One of my favorite quotes that he gave :)...

Elder L. Tom Perry

I personally met this gentle giant up in Cache Valley one summer morning at a hotel that we had both been staying at. Our families woke early for breakfast and headed down to the little restaurant where breakfast was being served when we recognized him immediately. Dressed in his khakis and a plaid collared shirt, he was in an intimate family atmosphere, but his countenance shown as bright as ever. I truly see the spirit reflected in the faces of these good men that serve the Lord with all their heart.

As we said hello and passed each other I felt so happy to have been by him. What a neat man...

One of my favorite quotes that he gave :)...

                                                          Elder Richard G. Scott

                                             One of my favorite quotes that he gave :)...

I love general conference and am looking forward to remembering these great men 

and the legacies that they have left...and am looking forward to supporting and sustaining the men 

that will be called to serve after them. What an honor and a privilege!

Each time conference rolls around, I try to find meaningful and memorable ways to celebrate conference...Last conference was actually held over Easter weekend and so our little family did something that we had never done before.

Each one of us would listen to the talks given, and each time we would hear a quote or a phrase that stood out to us, or meant something to us, we would write it down on a tiny little piece of paper...a tiny little notepad.

Then, on Saturday night we collected all of our individual notes and folded them and put them inside of plastic Easter eggs along with a piece of string to hang it with, and we included a note explaining what this was all about!

Then, early Easter Sunday morning we sneaked over to a neighbor's house and hung the eggs on their tree and gave them a "Testimony Tree!"

We chose a neighbor who we knew would love and appreciate the tender messages inside of each egg...then, we crept back home to listen to the last 2 sessions of that general conference.

They will never know WHO planted their "Testimony Tree"...

AND they will never know how much our own testimonies grew as we planted it for them!!!

                                     

The "Testimony Tree"

Can't wait for the next general conference! :)

Carew Joins Riverton High School's Cross Country Team!!! Yippee!!!

When Carew came home from school and told me that he was going to join the cross country team I almost fainted! ;) I thought to myself, "I wonder what her name is? You know, the cute girl that is on the team that he wants to get to know...:)"

I teased him about it and he laughed at me. Actually it was his friends that told him he should do it with them and how much fun they would have...so he joined! And his friends were right. 

It had been so good for him, and they have had such a good time together, surrounded by some amazing, self-motivated, leader type of kids.

I love it!

The team started the season off right at the beginning of the last school year by practicing every morning all summer long at 7:00 am! Do you have any idea how hard it is for a 16 year old boy to wake up at 6:30 in the morning 6 days a week for their entire summer????

Needless to say, Carew slept in a few mornings, but overall has become a champ!

The team had a 3 day Cross Country camp in August where they went camping up the Little Cottonwood Canyon. they went running all over those mountains! I kept telling Carew how jealous I was! I would have loved to do something like that!

On the last day of their camp they invited parents to come and watch and support the kids in a team relay event. Carew's team ended up taking 1st place! It made him feel so happy!!!

And, although this picture doesn't do it justice, here is what one of Carew's very first meets looked like! A bazillion boys lined up on the football field waiting for a shotgun start where they would all funnel down the field and out a fence to the race course. It was crazy how many kids were there!

Clint and I took a walk around to the other side of the course where we stopped and watched all the runners as they came barreling through  these hurdles of hay bales! Some boys flew through tripping and smashing to the ground into the hay, while others, like Carew never missed a step!

Way to go Carew! :)

High knees!  High knees! You're awesome Buddy! :)

Here is a picture of Carew after he came through the finish line...feeling awesome and accomplished!

I'm not even sure what place he took, but at this point with thousands of other racers, you learn to be happy with your own personal goals. I think Carew finished the course in a sub 13 time which was what he wanted! Great job Carew!

I could not be more pleased and proud with Carew's decision to join the cross country team! He is setting goals, achieving them, learning healthy life style habits, becoming much more self motivated, and hanging around with one of the best group of kids in the entire school. He's becoming more and more strong, happy, making sooo many friends, and all while learning to do something that his mom absolutely loves!!! Maybe now when I ask him if he wants to go on a run with me he might actually want to go! AND he will probably even beat me!

Awesome!!!

I love you Carew!!!

Our Dancer Moves On...

Here are just a few action shots from Kierra's Dance Company Concert...

She's beautiful and amazing...a talented dancer!

(Front and center in a Needle)

Above: Front and center

Below: 2nd from the right with long hair flowing

At the end of the year, all of the dancers got together for the final Awards Banquet where Kierra was honored with kind words and gifts that described her to a "T"...

She is a leader among her peers in so many ways, but most importantly, as a pure and virtuous young woman who always stands for what she believes in...

She was able to perform her 2nd pau de deux (solo partner dance) 

as a finale' to her dance with Canyon View Arts Center as well.

Kierra is a Senior in high school this year and has set some very lofty goals for herself...

One of which is to increase her ballet skills to try and go for a scholarship in Ballet. 

With this goal, she felt like she needed to push herself, and so since has decided to join the 

Ballet West Academy at Thanksgiving Point. 

She is growing exponentially in her dancing skills and loving every minute of it! 

Graceful!

Beautiful!

Take a Bow!

What I love about watching Kierra dance is that it really moves her...She feels the music and it fills her soul, and it shows in her grace, fluidity, and movement. It is absolutely stunning to watch.

And, not only is it beautiful, but inspiring and almost magical to see...

Here is a candid shot of Kierra, Kambriella and I delivering smiles and a Box of Fudge (not flowers) to our favorite Prima Ballerina! :)

With the closing of Kierra's high school dance career and the opening of her next step in the Dance world, she is working hard, being brave, and pushing herself to heights that she has never been to before. She no longer has practices before school, but she has practices 4 to 5 days a week, along with CNA clinicals, classes at the JATC,  and 6 concurrent enrollment classes,

She is a hard working, fun loving, go getter of a girl!

She is more than that though...

She is MY daughter, and one of my very best friends.

I love you Kierra!

No matter where you go or what you do, 

keep reaching for the stars and you will achieve your dreams!

A Land, Air, and Sea Animal Birthday Party!

Oh my!!!

 How quickly time flies!!!

Somehow life gets so busy, and the little things get "pushed aside"...(like keeping up on my blog!)

But to me, it's the "little things" that really matter! 

So, I am going to try to get back to recording some of my favorite things...

after all, it's all of these "little things" that make my life so incredibly enjoyable :) 

and, help me to see just how immensely blessed I am! :)

On June 2nd, Kambriella Noel turned 6 years old! 

She had every element of her birthday planned weeks before it was actually here, which made the planning part pretty easy for me! I simply had to follow her wishes, and I KNEW that I would have one happy little girl!

Kambriella wanted a "Land animal, Sea animal, and Air animal" Birthday party!

Yes, my friends, my children have unique, sophisticated, and complex birthday planning skills!  ;)

Thus we had pink cheetah cupcakes with each of those animals represented on top.

Great idea Kambriella! ;)

Kambriella also had picked out little "Wild Cat" accessories for her and her friends Emrey and Mya to sport during their birthday party activities! Don't they look like a true bunch of "Party Animals?" ;)

We all headed to the new Living PlanetAquarium for par tof our "Sea Animal" celebration...

The girls loved getting to actually touch the Starfish and Sting Rays...

And I think the underwater observatory was one of MY favorite parts to see! The girls sat in front of the huge window watching all of the sea life swim by... I could have sat there for hours...

They also had cute little penguins that were so fun to watch!

There was even an area that had different exotic birds...which made me soooo happy since I knew that would satisfy Kambriella's "Air animal" portion of her little birthday wishes! They even had this fun little rope bridge over there that they loved crossing time and time again! :)

After the friends went home we had our own little celebration with just our family.

Here is Kambriella with one of her classic favorites...Her Birthday card from Grandma Panter with her very own money tucked inside. :)

And then how could any little girl have an "Animal" themed birthday party

 and NOT get an animal of her very own???

            

Aunt Tiffany and Uncle Colby have a special place in their hearts for little Miss Kambriella. They knew how much she loves animals and got the OK from me to give her a pet fish for her birthday...

She was sooo happy and lit up the room!!!

And...just about melted everyone's heart in the mean time...:)

What a special little birthday girl! We love you Kambriella!!!

"Lost Connection"

This is a picture of one of my most prized possessions. :)

My wireless headphones and my arm sleeve for my phone!

I use these two babies every single day!!! ~ Usually first thing in the morning when I head out for a run...or a walk...depending on how I am feeling that day. :) ... and then other times I use them when I am doing my household chores...laundry, dishes, toilets...

 it makes the job soooo much more enjoyable!

What I love so much about them is that I am "hands free" and "care free" as I go about my work! I listen to conference talks, or the Mormon Channel, or my Pandora station...or talk to someone that I love on the phone! It's absolutely awesome.

Today when I came in the house from my run, I set my phone down on the counter and proceeded to head downstairs to wake up the little brothers for school. 

At this point I still had my headphones on, and as I entered their bedroom and flipped on the light I heard the voice on my headphones say,

"LOST CONNECTION"

I paused for just a second since I hadn't yet said anything to my boys...and had the most profound thought and prompting from the Spirit...

"DON"T EVER LOSE YOUR SPIRITUAL CONNECTION!!!!"

In just a few seconds of time my testimony was strengthened from a simple lesson I had learned from my phone...I had walked far enough away from my phone, that the blue tooth connection could no longer reach my headphones...and so, I had "lost connection."

In my life I rely so heavily upon my "connection" to my Heavenly Father through my spiritual studies, through prayer, and through the Holy Ghost... that I don't EVER want to lose my "spiritual connection." I want to try to keep a healthy balance in all aspects of my life and I know that if I keep close to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and try to live it every single day, then I can always be "connected" to the one true source of joy and happiness in this life.

I'm so thankful for the still small voice that whispers to me each and every day...and for the "connection" to my Heavenly Home while I'm here at home on earth. :)

A picture and a Surprise :)

This photo was one of Kierra's individual shots from her 2014-2015 school year on the 

Riverton High School Dance Company.

When I saw this picture I was in awe because Kierra really is so talented at dance and I love having such a beautiful pose captured...it seems to say a lot...

Then, the other day I got onto the school web site to check some things and found out that apparently I was not the only one who loved the picture!

THIS...was what I saw...and I'm sorry...but I was a proud mama! :)

They had selected her picture to be the advertisement for the Audition Packet for the 2015-2016 school year Dance Company try outs.

What a neat thing to see..especially when you very least expect it!!!

So proud of my kids :)

I love them to pieces!!! :)