Chris, Heidi, Nixon and Ruby

 Growing up in Utah, never serving a mission, I really didn't get asked much about my religion. I didn't have to think much about what I believe or try to explain it to anybody. I had a simple testimony of my religion and that got me through tough times.   Since moving here, working, making friends that aren't of my same religion, flying back and forth from Wisconsin to Utah several times, and my parents being called as mission presidents, I have had several opportunities to talk to people about what I believe and answer questions. Some questions (how many wives does your husband have) are hilarious to me! Some questions (do you wear special underwear) have caught me off guard but have given me a chance to explain some of my belief system. I decided, mostly for my own benefit but also for some of those who have asked questions, to answer questions I have been asked and to explain what we, as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, believe.  First of al...

I haven't posted in forever but I am in the room with Nixon while he naps and I don't dare move so I decided I might as well journal what has been going on in our lives! Right now we are in Utah visiting family. I was able to come out a week and a half before Chris so I could spend time with my family before my parents left to Armenia. They are going there to be mission president/wife and will be gone three years! The first week we were here was a little bit tough because Nixon got crupe and an ear infection but now that he is feeling better there is no stopping him! He has had a lot of fun with all of his cousins! Yesterday we went to Lagoon with Chris's family. He did NOT like the first few rides we put him on but after a short nap and some lunch he warmed right up to them and even started enjoying them by the end! We had a blast too! I don't know whether I enjoyed going on the rides or watching Nixon on them more!  We have been swimming, zooing, golfing, eating and p...

Here are some pictures to sum up the past 8 months 

Wow, has it really been 8 months since my last post!  I can't believe it!  My "little" guy is getting so big!   He started army crawling around June and then suddenly in August decided to really crawl, and then walk a couple days later!  And HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!! (no, I am not pregnant) He is sleeping through the night and has been for a few months now!  It is so nice!  He still has his nights where he wakes up, but it is usually just a matter of changing his diaper and he goes right back to sleep.  We put him down at about 7:30 and we usually have to wake him up to go to "Grandma Laura's" at 7.     That' another thing that has changed since I last wrote.  I have started teaching again.  I am teaching 5th grade math and science at Spooner Middle School. I love the ladies I work with and the kids are pretty sweet!  The district has its share of problems, but every district does.  Working definitely makes time fly by super fa...

Ok, I have so many pictures and I hate to flood FaceBook or family text messages with pictures of Nix but wanted to be able to share them for people who want to see them! So this post is going to be just pictures. The pictures go from newest to oldest.  Nixon's coming home from the hospital outfit and his jammies he wears today. He's grown! Big boy jammies Just need a newsies hat! Handsome church fella Nixon is happy because mom actually got ready for once! Out for a walk. Does it look like we are in the middle of nowhere? Well we kind of are but this is right in front of our house.  The Bostrom side babes All the Lapray side kiddos The flight home from Utah. He did AWESOME!!

It has been a while since I have posted and I have been wanting to for a while but the longer I have waited, the more there is to write, so the longer it will take. So I put it off. Then there is even more to write about. It's a terrible spiral. Now, as I write this I think to myself "You live in Spooner, Wisconsin. How much is there really to write about?" Good point. Well, I have caught myself getting a little discouraged and down about things and decided it was time I write a new post.  Just an update, Nixon is getting so big and changing every day. He is rolling from his tummy to his back and laughs all the time. He is getting a pretty good routine down and I have now transitioned him to his crib and today I even took his pillow away since he is looking like he will start rolling from his back to tummy soon. I gave him a pillow a while ago hoping it would help with the spitting up. It didn't but I didn't want to take it away at the time. He still isn't sle...

I can't believe I have kept a kid alive for 11 days! I wonder how many people have lost money on that bet. Mom, you can admit it. :)  One huge positive lately is that we have a good routine and that has made bedtime so much easier. He still isn't sleeping through the night, but we aren't having the hour of incessant screaming like we were in the early weeks. Even nap times are easier. I can easily tell when he is getting tired, and I hold him for a couple minutes and he is out. I love it! Another positive today was meeting Chris for lunch. I know it is hard for him to leave for lunch since he doesn't have long but it is so nice for me to get out of the house.  Finally, I have made two good friends here: Dr. Phil and Ellen. Sounds silly maybe but it gives me something to look forward to in the afternoon and by the time they are over Chris is almost home! Dr. Phil makes me feel better about my life and Ellen provides me with some laughs! (I have made some other real life ...