The Answer to the Question is.....

I've had a lot of people emailing me to find out where it is I'm working at. Haha, I totally forgot to put that info. down, didn't I? Anyway, I was hoping to get a job doing hair but, it just didn't work out. So, I found a job at a place called CS Call Center. I've worked for a Call Center before and it's pretty easy work. They have lots of opportunities for raises and bonuses. I also get a $200 sign-on bonus. So, yeah....that's where I'll be working.

My Weekend, In A Nutshell!

I've been trying to post pictures from our recent trip to Cedar Mountain/Duck Creek. However, my computer is flipping out so that post will have to happen another day. So, now you're getting a boring post about our weekend. Here goes.....Saturday I went to the "What Women Want" expo. at the Dixie Center! It was BUSY, BUSY, BUSY! Tons of vendors and tons of women! Not exactly what this woman wanted but, still had fun! My bows didn't sell very good but, that's ok. There were a TON of people selling them. Sunday was very busy for me. Mike and I had to speak in Sacrament Meeting. I spoke on how prayer has influenced my life. Mike spoke on personal revelation. Then, I had to substitute for our neighbor who had knee replacement. So, I conducted the music in Sacrament Meeting, conducted for choir practice. Then, I sang in our Stake Fireside that night. Today has been a frustrating and downer of a day, if downer is even a word? I ended up having to get a job! I'm so sad by it and really didn't want to have to go back to work. As much as my kids can frustrate me, I love being home with them and seeing the new things they do every day. However, there's no choice in the matter. One of us had to get a job. Mike needs to study for the Bar exam. so the logical thing is for me to work. Luckily, I was blessed enough to find a job working at nights. So, I won't have to put the kids in daycare, which is a HUGE relief and blessing! It will be strange working again. Although its only been 3 1/2 years, it feels a lot longer than that! I just hope it will help our current situation! I'm so sick of living the life of a poor student!!!! Ok....done with that little rant! On a better note, we're going up to see my family a week from tomorrow!!!! Mike has to take a test in SLC next weekend so we're heading up North! That will be fun for a change!

7-Months-Old

On Friday, October 17th, Rylie turned 7-months-old! Holy smokes! She has really grown this last month! We took her to the Dr. and she weighs 17 lbs. 6 oz. and is 26 1/2 inches long. She is in the 61% for her weight and 62% for her length. Her pediatrician said that she is growing and developing so well and quick beyond her age that, unless she is sick, he doesn't need to see her until she is 1-year-old!

Rylie is at such a fun stage right now! She is so smiley, happy, and just funny! Her personality is really shining through! She loves to play with my keys, rip the earrings out of my ears, eat veggies, scooting around on her stomach, being tickled, playing peek-a-boo, being sung to, playing with Connor, and the list goes on and on! One of my favorite things is when she's laying in her bed, I'm cleaning or whatever, and turn and see her little eye-balls popping up over the edge of her bed!

One of the reasons I am so grateful to be back in UT is for Rylie & Connor's pediatrician. We had the same one when we left for Michigan and we were able to stay with him when we got back. He really cares and wants what is best for our children! He doesn't act like he's just doing it to get money. He really loves his job and loves his patients! He even remembered us from last time!

Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits!

The "What-Did-I-Do?" look!
Connor's way of trying to cover up the evidence of what he had done!

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Mike and I were relaxing when we could hear Connor goofing around. We weren't sure what he was up to. Mike decided to go check on him. I hear Mike say, "Laura! Come see what Connor's been doing!" I was afraid! So, I go in the bathroom and we've discovered that Connor has found Mike's shaving cream, a razor, a mirror, and kleenex. Not to mention, he has a couple holes in his hair where he said he tried to comb his hair with the razor! Kids do the darndest things!

Connor's Pumpkin!!!

VIDEO OF CONNOR TELLING HIS PUMPKIN TO SAY CHEESE! CONNOR IS THE ONE TAKING THE VIDEO!

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On Saturday, amongst all the other things we did, we met up with Mike's brother and wife and ate at Cracker Barrell. Then, we went to Wal-Mart. They had a ton of pumpkins for sale so, we let Connor pick out his own pumpkin, took him home, and let him decorate it his own way. He chose to decorate it with marker and then foam stickers that were either a football, basketball, baseball, tennis ball, or soccer ball! He absolutely LOVED it!!! After he came home from church he took off all the stickers and started the process all over again.

Chill Time w/ Grandpa & Grandma

Grandma, Grandpa, Rylie, Connor, and the 3 poodles!

On Saturday, after we got home from the Apple Festival, we were all hangin out and trying to thaw out. I could hear Connor in Grandma's room laughing and talking. So, I went in to see what they were doing and the above pictures is what I found! I thought it was priceless and so funny to see 7 warm bodies, which includes the 3 poodles, hanging out on the bed!

Apple Festival!!!

Connor riding the train at the Apple Festival
We were trying to get Connor's attention here!

On Saturday we went to the Apple Festival in New Harmony. New Harmony is a tiny town, about 40 minutes north of St. George. For weeks we've been hearing about a storm that was going to hit. Well, Saturday was the day. When we got to New Harmony it was 32 DEGREES!!!! On top of that, it was SNOWING!!!! I think we were crazy to go but, we went anyway. Mike's parents picked up a couple boxes of yummy apples. Shannon (Mike's sister) and I got a couple butterfinger caramel apples that were HEAVENLY!!! Then, we wandered around and froze ourselves. Connor rode the train a few times but, his favorite thing to do was to walk one of Grandma McGinnis's poodles around! After a little bit we went into the fire departments garage and ate navajo taco's, hamburgers, and apple pie a la mode! Although we were cold it was a lot of fun!

Our 7th Wedding Anniversary

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Our 7th Anniversary was on October 4th. However, it was a bad weekend to be able to do anything. So, Mike's parents took care of the kids and Mike and I went to Vegas for a couple days to spend some time together!!!! It was great to get away from everything and just be the two of us! It was awesome! We just took our time and enjoyed ourselves. We walked up and down the strip, checked out the cool shops, tasted yummy food, and ate at a FABULOUS restaurant! We also were fortunate enough to get tickets to see Phantom of the Opera. My sister-in-law's brother works for the Bellagio and got us AMAZING seats, by the orchestra! We got to stay in the Luxor hotel, which is the pyramid. They have inclinators, instead of elevators, because of it being shaped like a pyramid. That was a weird feeling! Anyway, it was a blast and it was nice to be together and remember how much fun we can have together!

Families Are Forever!!!!

On October 8, 2003 (5 years ago to the date)I delivered our precious, perfect, sweet baby girl. She was born stillborn at 9:15pm, was 5 inches long, and 2.8 ounces. We named her Brenna Selma McGinnis. Her first name is Irish, of course. Her middle name came from my Grandma Jeppesen. Her face had the same features that Connor & Rylie have.

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We were devastated when we found out that Brenna had died while in the womb, when I was nearly 6 months along. It's hard to put into words how we felt! However, I also remember feeling the love our Heavenly Father more than I had ever felt in my entire life. Mike and I were being taken care of; spiritually, physically, and mentally. I will never forget how we felt and everything that happened. It's amazing the way that things happen. This all occurred on Conference weekend. So, while preparing for delivery and the burial we were able to watch Conference and receive some much-needed spiritual strength. It's awesome how many talks focused on peace, comfort, and love! Then, the choir sang the most BEAUTIFUL arrangement of "A Child's Prayer" that I have ever heard!!!! I know that Heavenly Father was taking care of us and mourning with us as well. Looking back, there are more good things that came out of that experience than bad. I am grateful for how we grew and for the things we learned.

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For Brenna's 5-year-birthday, we're going to release 5 baby pink balloons into the air.

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I know that we will see Brenna again someday! It gives me much motivation, when I ponder what happened with Brenna, to make sure that I get myself and our family to the Celestial Kingdom. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation. I am grateful for the Atonement, that provides us the way to return to our Heavenly Father. I know that Heavenly Father loves me so much and I am so grateful for the peace I have received by knowing that.

Cowgirls Are the Cutest!!!

Rylie was hanging out in the living room one day so, I decided to put Connor's cowboy hat on her!!! So dang cute, don't you think? Looks like another cowboy in the family!!!

Splish-Splash!!! I Was Taking a Bath!!!!

I think that when you become a parent you are required to take pictures like this. I remember looking through my pictures as a kid and seeing pictures like these. Who can blame us for taking a picture like this? Aren't they so cute???

7 Years Down & Eternity to go!

Today is our 7-year anniversary! Wow! What a 7 years it has been! We've been through a lot, been to a lot of places, moved a lot, etc. in the time we've been married! Who knew that a farm girl from Wellsville and a city boy from Vegas would meet and get married?!?!?!? We're so different but those differences help each other out! There's no one else that I can count on like Mike! Best friends for sure!!!! I am so grateful for Mike! He's a strong person, both physically and mentally! He's taught me so much and I will contine to learn a ton from him! He's a great father and really loves his children! I love to see him interact with them! He's so cute! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MIKE!!!! 143 more!!!!

My Sleeping Angels

I couldn't resist taking a picture of my adorable kids! Aren't kids the cutest when they are sleeping? I just want to pinch their cheeks and kiss their faces off! I LOVE 'EM!

Making the Rounds!

Great-Grandma Anderson & Rylie
Uncle Matt & Rylie

Allie's Birthday party
Rylie & Emma's belly!
Emma
Rylie & Emma playing with each other
Garrett & Connor in the sand box
It was great to be able to see family when we got back to UT. We were able to make the rounds and see a bunch of family. Connor & Rylie really, really enjoyed playing with all of their cousins! We were fortunate enough to see all of them this trip! We even got to see Great-Grandparents, a couple of my cousins, and an Aunt & Uncle too! There's nothing I love more than getting together with family! Our family is infamous for playing games together. Which is where I get my competitiveness from! We love to play Pit, Pinochle, Rummy, Panic (if Mom lets us play it)and anything else that we come up with. On Labor Day we usually go to a parade, etc. Well, it rained out this year! So, my whole family (27 people w/out Mike)hung out in my parents house all day. We played games, ate yummy food, teased the heck out of each other, made bows, did the much-anticipated NFL Fantasy Football Draft, and even got some 4-wheeler rides in! I LOVE FAMILY!!!!!

Willow Park Zoo & Swings

Connor
Emma & Garrett
Connor

Emma & Garrett
Connor
Garrett
Emma

One of the 3 Elk
Emma
Turtles playing tag!

Connor checking out the ducks!
Emma, Connor, Garrett
Mr. Quack

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My brother and I took our kids to Willow Park Zoo and also played on the swings. The Zoo is tiny and consists of, I'd say, 90% birds/ducks! It's kind of funny! There were other things like: Elk, fox, owl, bobcat, turtles, and maybe a few other things. The kids really had a good time though. After walking through the zoo we took the kids to play on the swings and slides. We ended up being there for about 2 hours because they were having so much fun!

The Joys of My Life

Sometimes things happen that make me take a step back and realize say how grateful I am for my little ones! They are so precious to me and I know I take them for granted! It's sometimes hard to have the perspective I should. These are Heavenly Father's children. He has sent them to me to take care of. I wish that I could be the mother that I have envisioned for them. I'm trying though. All I can hope for is that they know that I love them with all of my heart and that I would do anything for them!

Swimming at Logan's Aquatic Center

Another thing we did while up in Cache Valley was swimming at Logan's Aquatic Center! They have 2 slides, a regular pool, and a kids wading pool! It was the perfect day and happened to be the last day for swimming there. We went with my sister, Stacey, and her family and also my brother, Matt! We really had a great time and it was nice to play in a pool where I didn't have to worry about my kids freezing to death, like our pool in Michigan.