My Girls

 27.5 weeks pregnant with this little girl. I feel very large. I have started going through all our baby stuff and getting things in place for her arrival. I have appreciated the simplicity of this process with this baby being our third girl. I have done some sifting of the baby stuff and have a pretty good idea of what I need to keep and what will be better used as a donation. 

I am feeling as good as I can and mostly just pregnant. I really have to make an effort to focus on the positive parts and joy of pregnancy, because most of it just tries my patience. 

We have a couple of names we like, but are not certain on anything yet. 

This was one afternoon I took some time to get down on the floor and actually help the girls build something out of Lincoln Logs. Another part of parenting Justin is way better at then me is getting down and actually playing. This building lasted about 3 minutes and then Jenna decided it was time to dismantle it. It was fun while it lasted.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Goals

One of the lessons for Joy School was on goal setting and the joy that comes from achieving a goal. Natalie set a goal to work on writing little a's in her name. She worked very hard all month (with encouragement from mom) and finally reached her goal!

Now to work on writing a little e

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Joy School

 Here are some pics from our Joy School. This one the girls were learning about goals and had to work together to build a tower that was at least three feet tall. They exceeded their goal.

 We also went on a field trip to the Ontario Fire Station. The kids had a blast and the firefighters were so good with them.

 Stop, drop and roll!

Joy School has been one of those things that I didn't realize just how much of a good thing it was going to be. I really felt led in organizing the group and I have really enjoyed and appreciated the curriculum. I know those who have participated have really loved it as well. The kids enjoy getting together, learning and playing and the adults have appreciated the lessons taught.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

January in Photos

 Natalie bringing home her Choose The Right Shield from Primary of 2017. This girl threw a huge fit this morning because she was worried about going into CTR 4 class. Needless to say, Primary was great as always and she is happy to be there.

 Jenna is a pretty good little scooter on this car. She was riding this on a nice winter day at her cousins.

 Playing the Sneaky Snacky Squirrel Game. We got this for Christmas and the girls really enjoy it. Jenna loves to steal others nuts, but throws a little fit when hers get stolen.

 A picture from lunch one day. Pretty sure Jenna insisted on trying several different leftover this day.

 Practicing letters and fine motor skills with glue and beans.

 In honor of my nephew's birthday on January 5th, we went and delivered balloons to be given to a patient in the hospital who could use them.

 Babysitting the girls cousin again and making sure she gets in on some princess action.

These are the picture size options for the Meridian Temple Print we made for our Relief Society Meeting in January. We made these prints, listened to a certified counselor speak on mental health, and ate delicious cheesecake. It was a fun evening and more fitting than I realized it would be for many of us. I am serving as a counselor in the Relief Society right now. It is very busy, but I am learning so much and definitely stretching myself in fulfilling this role.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

December in Pictures

The pictures from my phone for December.

 From a walk a few days after Christmas. It has only snowed twice thus far this winter. Last year we had feet of snow on the ground at this time.

 Jenna helping Dad with the dishes. I rarely let her help because I don't have enough patience. Justin usually likes to involve her in it. She loves wearing this polka dot dress.

 These two were playing so quietly together one day and I didn't think anything of it. Then Natalie started to cry. They had gotten into the 72 hour kits and had gotten out hand sanitizer and were taking turns squirting it in one another's hair. Eventually it dripped to their eyes. Bath time came at about 3 that afternoon.

 Ready for church in their Christmas dresses. Jenna loves this dress and insists on wearing it every week. It is cute, just drops glitter all over me.

 Gingerbread houses I made for the gingerbread party we hosted in early December. We invited all of the girls little cousins. They had a great time (mostly eating candy) and playing.

 First snow fall of the winter came the night of our ward Christmas party. This was the morning after. Natalie was excited to play in it. Jenna took some more convincing. Mostly they just wanted the hot chocolate after playing outside.

 My girls are/were obsessed with Nativities this Christmas. Natalie loved to have this one set up just perfectly. Jenna often times didn't leave it alone. We had our fair share of contention over how they should be arranged. This was one moment where no one was bothering it.

 20 Weeks with baby girl #3

 A picture that Natalie colored for Christmas time. This may not look like much to most, but I was so proud of the work she did here. For the first 4 1/2 years of Natalie's life she has had very little interest in coloring. Like mostly zero interest. This is the first picture I can remember her really sitting down and trying to color the whole picture.

 Sisters playing princess dress up. Princesses are a popular theme at our house.

 Jenna reading to her cousin we were babysitting. Both the girls love this little one.

 The only picture I got of the gingerbread houses after being decorated.... and then eaten.

 Reading with Dad in the Christmas themed living room.

 Another skill Natalie learned this year- putting on finger gloves all by herself!

 Our thankful pumpkin from November. We weren't overly consistent, but we tried. We do have much to be grateful for. Most importantly the Great Plan of Salvation and our family. Right after Thanksgiving my little nephew was killed in an accident. I bear testimony that temple covenants are real, families really matter, and we are loved by a Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. 

December was a good and hard month. I was happy to enjoy it, but equally happy to move to January.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard