Me pregnant at 38 weeks I think. Grandpa wanted a pic of the belly and this is what Kowen took. Including his shoes.

Kandon with friend Will Linkhardt.

Kandon borrowed purple black and green skates from the Ladles because although he got his skates ready to go. He left them in the living room. He pouted in the car awhile but eventually tried on the skates that mom says we're too small but we wore them the whole 4pm to 8pm. Crazy boy. Little bummed his tickets only got him cheap plastic rings but hey. It was suppose to just be an added bonus of coins with the pizza. Skating was the awesome part.

All styles. Just a little low.

Kowen used his coins to earn 500 tickets on machine just after kandon was so close. He got black sunglasses with hanging mustache. Crazy kid. He loved them even though they were too big.

We went skating during spring break. They each were able to have friends meet us there which made it fun.

Kandon at his first paying job. He got to put his voice to an online Christmas cartoon that should be finished in January 2014. Just a small part of a few lines, but an experience just the same. Great job bud. He had fun. We drove through heavy rain to Columbus and home through rain, sleet, snow, then more rain and snow, but we made it safely home. Now he is constantly asking when the check will come in the mail. Patience bud it could be months.

Sitting with the future derby champ and just chilling.

Kandon ran out of time to make a car with dad so mom bought him a car and he painted it. Dad helped with wheels and repainting n sanding since he refused to sand it n mom didn't care. It any weighed in at like 4.2 or 4.6 with the weights n didn't want to but money on it. Great job though bud. Looks cool and just what he wanted.

Kowen getting fitted for his retainers in january. He doesn't complain about wearing it but he sure does lose it often. It has been on counter in basement bathroom. In the car on floor. In his wallet which was in kilee's purse and recently in his pocket after we searched house and had the teacher check all kids desks n definitely his pockets of his pants he had worn all week long and we had checked several times. I know each are miracles in themselves by finding them after prayer.

Kids getting schooled at pool by dad. Keller from church and dad's work Christmas party gave them this. They have a lot to learn.

Snow was thick and easy to roll. Kids enjoyed easily making snowmen and this fort which doubles as a chair. Great job kids.

Do I look fat or am I pregnant. I think I need to workout a bit. People calling me pudgy.

Just a little humor with a shirt mom got me. I thought Barbie wouldn't wear it but she proved me wrong.

We also tried to see how many pieces we could drop in the bowl. I think mom won with 32 or so. I then needed help getting down off the chair.

Played popcorn olympics for fhe. How far can you throw popcorn. I think dad won. He made it all the way near kandon.

Kandon missed making a catapult at scouts so he made one at home. Great job. Then he kept trying to hit me with the gummy bear. Not so great idea. He mostly missed though.

Kandon made a perfect snow angel while waiting for dad to come outside and have a snow fight. Then they left without telling me and went for an adventure in the woods.

Can't wait for baby to wear this. Liked it so much got a few as baby gifts.

Kowen helped the art teacher with the dragon. Turned out great.

Kandon helped the art teacher make the penguin. Great job bud.

Kowen got a haircut too. Way to be brave too. He thinks it rocks and loves to run his hands through hair and keep it spiked up.

Kandon was brave and cut all his hair ofc. He loved it and said it was because the girls at school would jokingly poke him n tell him to get a haircut. He spiked it for church today with Mohawk but then took it down some at church and can't wait for it to grow out again. Claims he will never cut it this short again. We will see.

Here kandon made brownies but upon mixing he knocked it to the floor upside down. Proceeded to squeal as he tried several times to pick it up upon fail. Til he succeeded surprisingly it was so thick none spilled to floor. Yeah n yummy.

Kilee's Sacrament Talk 2014

This is Kilee's talk February 2014 and it lasted about 6 minutes. She did a great job looking up and stressing points and doing facial expressions. Lots of people commented on what a great talk she did. I'm so glad I wrote her one. Ha. She did wonderful eventhough she wanted to back down and not go.

   Hello, my name is Kilee Nowell and I turned 12 and entered young women’s in December. I was beginning to think The bishopric had forgotten about my birthday over the holidays and that I might not have to give a talk. But  That’s what I get for even thinking about it, because that same day I was asked and well now here I am.

  I have been assigned the topic of Baptism. It is a big topic, my mom could probably write a 25 page talk on all the quotes and things she finds, but I like things short and simple so I will try and share just a few ideas on baptism and the blessings it gives us. (I think she said something more like, but luckily it is just me and I will be short)

Carol B. Thomas said in her  April 1999 conference talk  titled “Spiritual Power of Our Baptism “

that Elder Henry B. Eyring, …, remembers when he was baptized  all he could think of on the way home  was, “Uh-oh, the free ride is over.” (end quote)

After baptism we are all responsible for our own actions, every little and big thing we do. We were taught right from wrong. We were taught to speak nicely to others, treat others with respect, Love one another, and Choose the right. But the burden moved from our parents to ourselves. We are responsible for the consequences of our own actions.

Sis. Thomas went on to say,

“A story is told of the son of King Louis XVI of France. As a young man, he was kidnapped by evil men when they dethroned the king. For six months he was exposed to every filthy and vile thing that life had to offer, yet he never buckled under the pressure. This puzzled his captors, and they asked him why he had such great moral strength. His reply was simple: “I cannot do what you ask, for I was born to be a king” (End Quote)

 ( Vaughn J. Featherstone, “The King’s Son,” New Era, Nov. 1975, 35).

We were born sons and daughters of a King. By being baptized, we have been promised the blessings of royalty and all grand things that come with it if we endure to the end.

Christ has said, “Follow me, … do the things which ye have seen me do” (2 Ne. 31:12).

 

 

 

In Robert D. Hales October 2000 conference talk titled, “The Covenant of Baptism” he states that,

“ At baptism we make a covenant with our Heavenly Father that we are willing to come into His kingdom and keep His commandments from that time forward, even though we still live in the world. We are reminded from the Book of Mormon that our baptism is a covenant to “stand as witnesses of God [and His kingdom] at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life” (Mosiah 18:9; ).

When we understand our baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost, it will change our lives and will establish our total allegiance to the kingdom of God. When temptations come our way, if we will listen, the Holy Ghost will remind us that we have promised to remember our Savior and obey the commandments of God.”  (End Quote)

At all times, and in all things, and in all places means every minute of our lives. That may be frightening to hear. It means from the moment we wake up and set our feet upon the ground, did we think to say our morning prayers, did we treat others with respect or were we cranky because we chose to be. It means all day at school, at home, at play. It means in front of our friends, our neighbors, strangers, and our family. It means in our actions and even in our thoughts and dreams. This obedience separates us from being in the world but not of the world.

Some people think our religion is too strict. That is takes away our free agency, but in reality it is just the opposite. It frees us to remember who we are, To look forward knowing that if we just endure we will be heirs to all that the Father has. It reminds us that if we do the simple things that He has asked of us, we can be Gods and Goddesses like him, for we are made after his image.

By choosing to be in His kingdom, we separate—not isolate—ourselves from the world. Our dress will be modest, our thoughts pure, our language clean. The movies and television we watch, the music we listen to, the books, magazines, and newspapers we read will be uplifting. We will choose friends who encourage our eternal goals, and we will treat others with kindness. We will shun the vices of immorality, gambling, tobacco, liquor, and illicit drugs. Our Sunday activities will reflect the commandment of God to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. We will follow the example of Jesus Christ in the way we treat others. We will live to be worthy to enter the house of the Lord.

We will be examples “of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12).

By choosing to be baptized we covenant with the Father to do as he asks of us. The sacrament we take weekly is a reminder of our promises to keep ourselves clean and do what we know is right. If we do this we will have proven ourselves worthy to return to him and hear him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter thou into my kingdom.”

I would like to bare my testimony I know the church is true and

I know that baptism is a very important and necessary part of Heavenly Father’s plan for us.

 

I know that if we keep His commandments and Endure to the End we can live with him again

 

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen.

Kilee's Primary Program talk October 2013

Here is Kilee's primary talk October 2013 when she was 11 years old. They gave her like a minute to talk.

Heavenly Father has a Plan and Loves Me

 

Before we came to earth our spirits lived in heaven with our Heavenly Father. When we came to earth we received a physical body to live in. No two people look exactly alike. Heavenly Father made us different. Everyone is beautiful in a special way. Each of you are beautiful.

Even though we cannot remember living with Heavenly Father, He remembers. He knows and loves each of us because we are His children.

President Ezra Taft Benson once said, “Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us.

Knowing that we are children of God helps us understand that we are never alone. When we pray, He answers. As we obey the commandments, pray for help, and rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become more like Him.

It makes me happy to know that Heavenly Father loves me and that he wants me to return to live with him again one day. I know that this happy feeling comes from the Holy Ghost. I know that if we will learn to love our Heavenly Father and follow the teachings of his Son Jesus Christ, we can be happy both in this life and in the live to come. I know that Heavenly Father loves me and that he has a plan for me.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen