and Congratulations on another little boy!
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
First Responder
Jon was a first responder for a tragic accident this afternoon. It is a really sad story. If you want to know more of Jon's story, you will have to ask him.
Here is the news coverage. If you look close, you can see Jon. He is in a blue shirt and khaki pants.
Child critical after being struck by car in South Toledo: "An accident on Heatherdowns Blvd. near Byrne Rd. Wednesday afternoon has left a child critically injured."
Here is the news coverage. If you look close, you can see Jon. He is in a blue shirt and khaki pants.
Child critical after being struck by car in South Toledo: "An accident on Heatherdowns Blvd. near Byrne Rd. Wednesday afternoon has left a child critically injured."
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Tornados
We had some tornados move through our area on Saturday Night. James slept through it. I mostly slept through it right next to the window. The Tornado siren woke Jon up and he turned on the TV to see what was going on. He came back to tell me, but I never fully came awake. I do remember the lightning and thunder were pretty incredible. Really bright flashes and big booms. I also heard the second tornado siren that went off. I woke up fully when our windows leaked a little and Jon needed help getting the water soaked up and putting towels in the bottoms of the windows.
Sunday morning, I turned the TV on so James could watch something while I got him dressed. He holds still better if he is a little distracted. The news said that they had 6 tornados touch down (I guess some could have been the same, but I don't know), and we found out later that 7 people died in the storm. It was pretty crazy. I am glad it was not worse.
Here are some You Tube videos (which I got off a friend's blog, thanks, Stephanie) of the destruction. It is pretty crazy. Lake Township (where these pictures are from) is really close toToledo.
Side note: I am going to try and get some pictures of James posted today. They will appear before this post if I get them up.
Sunday morning, I turned the TV on so James could watch something while I got him dressed. He holds still better if he is a little distracted. The news said that they had 6 tornados touch down (I guess some could have been the same, but I don't know), and we found out later that 7 people died in the storm. It was pretty crazy. I am glad it was not worse.
Here are some You Tube videos (which I got off a friend's blog, thanks, Stephanie) of the destruction. It is pretty crazy. Lake Township (where these pictures are from) is really close toToledo.
Side note: I am going to try and get some pictures of James posted today. They will appear before this post if I get them up.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Lima, Ohio
Fun Fact: The Lima Chapel is on Brower Road. My maiden name is Brower. It is always fun to see my maiden name on a street sign.
Young Women's went well. There were a lot there. Lima has one of the higher numbers of Young Women in our stake, but there were also 4 visiting from other wards (Bowling Green and Perrysburg). James and I ended up in the hall at the beginning of sacrament meeting. There was a gentleman in the hall that asked me if I was a member. I told him I was there with the stake. He said he was security. Apparently they are having problems with people breaking into cars and stuff, so they have to have someone in the halls and watching the parking lots during church. Crazy!
We only stayed long enough for the sacrament this week. Jon had to go to Chicago later that day, so we had to get back. We actually got home about the same time we would have if we had gone to our own ward.
Here is James picture from Nursery (and finished in sacrament meeting).
After church, Jon packed and left for Chicago. He is taking Step II CS today. I hope and pray that is goes well and he does not have to retake it.
When Jon left, James and I went to a barbecue and swimming party here at our apartment complex. Here is a picture of James playing with a broken squirt gun.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
I Can Get It!
I paused a DVD the other day. With our DVD player, after a movie has been paused for a little while, the word "Phillips" appears and bounces around the screen. James loves it!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Bottom Lip
James has been making this face a lot lately. I caught it on video.
Sorry for the cough and sneeze at the end. When the grass was being cut, James started sneezing. It would seem he has hay fever too.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Interesting Article
I just read this article and wanted to share it. I have many friends and some family that struggle with varying degrees of infertility and this article helped me to know more how I can be a good friend to those I know who struggle have children. I hope it can help you too.
Dealing with Infertility
Excerpted from Infertility: Help, Hope, and Healing
by Kerstin Daynes
In December of 2003, the thing I had feared for nearly five years was confirmed: I was infertile. Feelings of despair and betrayal flooded my life, and I felt isolated in my silent sorrow.
After I learned I was infertile, I sought help and guidance from many places; I wanted to read more about other women who knew exactly how I felt, and I wanted to make connections with those who had walked the path I was walking.
With the statistics showing that one out of seven couples has difficulty conceiving, the number of couples in our wards, branches, and stakes that are affected by this disease is significant. As if affects so many, how could there be so little information from a Latter-day Saint perspective on the topic? Infertility is a very real disease that brings overwhelming stress, hidden losses, and associated feelings of inadequacy, sadness, and isolation. I have felt all of these; but I have also learned to feel joy, strength, and power. My desire is to offer hope to those who also carry this burden.
Reacting to Comments from Others
One of the hardest things to deal with is leaving the house and facing people - including the things people say. We have all heard someone say, "Relax! You are trying too hard!" to a woman who wants to get pregnant. In actuality, some couples dealing with infertility truly need to "try harder" to conceive since the process is, in some way, flawed for them.
I am certain we could all sit down and make an exhaustive list of the hurtful things we have heard people say. Some I have forgotten, others make me smile, while other still haunt me. Here are a few I have collected:
"It will all work out in the Lord's time."
"Don't worry. You will be blessed to be a mother in the eternities."
"So, when are you going to have a baby?"
"Enjoy your time together while you can."
"I bet working in the nursery is great birth control."
"You have no idea how lucky you are that you don't have to worry about children. You can have one of mine."
It has taken a long time to get to this point, but I am beginning to see comments and questions regarding my infertility as a door being opened for discussion. When you feel comfortable offering some information, it's best to keep it simple, direct, and maybe even a bit vague. Here are some suggestions of what to say when the questions come:
"We are ready for children whenever they join our family."
"There is a time and season for everything in life. Children come in a different time and season for every couple."
"Our family consists of me and my husband/wife right now."
"We are confronting some issues as we try to have a family. We are working with a highly skilled physician and feel confident in his/her abilities. We appreciate you being supportive and understanding."
I think I have used every one of these and several others; they usually move the conversation in another direction. Many times, responding this way makes the questioner realize the magnitude of the question they asked. So my suggestion to you is to come up with a response that you and your spouse will use when the situation arises.
Supporting Someone Who Has Fertility Challenges
As I prepared to share my feelings about infertility with my mother, I remember wondering exactly how she would be able to relate. After all, my mom and dad began their family with my older sister who came nine months after they were married and had seven children in thirteen years. I knew that she could not empathize, but I also knew that she sincerely wanted to understand. I realized that I could choose to be angry that her ease of having children did not qualify her to adequately comfort me. Or I could choose to play a pivotal role in teaching her about this sorrow that was unknown to her.
This is written to the mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends of those who experience infertility. Your willingness and ability to help bear the burden of infertility will make the pain more bearable and the sorrow not so deep. Here are some things to consider.
The gospel is family-oriented, as it should be, but it is often hard for a couple dealing with infertility to be reminded of it so often. We find joy in our relationships with those we love and feel comforted that family relationships continue eternally. It is important to remember that families are not just moms and dads with children. A family can be just a husband and wife. A family begins with a husband and wife. A family continues through the experiences of life whether there are no children, one child, or ten children. Make sure that, in cases of infertility, you help couples feel that they are a legitimate family.
Be genuine. Don't fake it. If you fake it, they will know. Are you asking them questions about their infertility because you are curious, because you have stewardship over the couple, or because you heard from someone else about their infertility? Or are you asking them because you are concerned about them and want to offer your support? What will you do with the information you gather? Remember that a truly genuine friend asks questions out of deep concern and love. A genuine friend will offer support and strength no matter what happens. This friend will carefully guard the information gathered and will respect the couple's wishes of who they want to know.
Couples experiencing infertility may be sensitive to announcements of pregnancy, overemphasis on children, or baby showers. Handle these topics with sensitivity. Invite women to baby showers, but do not be offended if they choose not to come. Make sure lessons in Sunday meetings are geared toward men and women across all life situations, taking into account those who are single or childless, those who have children, and those who are empty nesters. Additionally, provide activities that similarly apply to all. Be careful not to make children seem like a requirement.
Be careful about what you say. Infertile couples need less advice and more understanding. They will talk if they want to and if they see a caring friend. If you initiate the conversation, be sure you are motivated by compassion. As you discuss the topic of infertility with a couple, try not to act like the expert and as though you know what their specific problem is. Rather, allow the person experiencing the problem to do most of the talking. Ask questions to clarify and to gain a greater understanding so you can be better educated. Consider saying, "I just can't imagine what you are feeling. Describe it to me so that I can try to understand."
It can be harmful to bring up a story of how someone else got pregnant or how someone you know is experiencing infertility. Instead of offering help, you are taking the focus away from the couple. Provide a listening ear and gentle kindness.
One last thing: Be a good parent yourself. Recognize the truly magnificent gift you have - children. Treat your children well. Teach them. Cherish them.
Dealing with Infertility
Excerpted from Infertility: Help, Hope, and Healing
by Kerstin Daynes
In December of 2003, the thing I had feared for nearly five years was confirmed: I was infertile. Feelings of despair and betrayal flooded my life, and I felt isolated in my silent sorrow.
After I learned I was infertile, I sought help and guidance from many places; I wanted to read more about other women who knew exactly how I felt, and I wanted to make connections with those who had walked the path I was walking.
With the statistics showing that one out of seven couples has difficulty conceiving, the number of couples in our wards, branches, and stakes that are affected by this disease is significant. As if affects so many, how could there be so little information from a Latter-day Saint perspective on the topic? Infertility is a very real disease that brings overwhelming stress, hidden losses, and associated feelings of inadequacy, sadness, and isolation. I have felt all of these; but I have also learned to feel joy, strength, and power. My desire is to offer hope to those who also carry this burden.
Reacting to Comments from Others
One of the hardest things to deal with is leaving the house and facing people - including the things people say. We have all heard someone say, "Relax! You are trying too hard!" to a woman who wants to get pregnant. In actuality, some couples dealing with infertility truly need to "try harder" to conceive since the process is, in some way, flawed for them.
I am certain we could all sit down and make an exhaustive list of the hurtful things we have heard people say. Some I have forgotten, others make me smile, while other still haunt me. Here are a few I have collected:
"It will all work out in the Lord's time."
"Don't worry. You will be blessed to be a mother in the eternities."
"So, when are you going to have a baby?"
"Enjoy your time together while you can."
"I bet working in the nursery is great birth control."
"You have no idea how lucky you are that you don't have to worry about children. You can have one of mine."
It has taken a long time to get to this point, but I am beginning to see comments and questions regarding my infertility as a door being opened for discussion. When you feel comfortable offering some information, it's best to keep it simple, direct, and maybe even a bit vague. Here are some suggestions of what to say when the questions come:
"We are ready for children whenever they join our family."
"There is a time and season for everything in life. Children come in a different time and season for every couple."
"Our family consists of me and my husband/wife right now."
"We are confronting some issues as we try to have a family. We are working with a highly skilled physician and feel confident in his/her abilities. We appreciate you being supportive and understanding."
I think I have used every one of these and several others; they usually move the conversation in another direction. Many times, responding this way makes the questioner realize the magnitude of the question they asked. So my suggestion to you is to come up with a response that you and your spouse will use when the situation arises.
Supporting Someone Who Has Fertility Challenges
As I prepared to share my feelings about infertility with my mother, I remember wondering exactly how she would be able to relate. After all, my mom and dad began their family with my older sister who came nine months after they were married and had seven children in thirteen years. I knew that she could not empathize, but I also knew that she sincerely wanted to understand. I realized that I could choose to be angry that her ease of having children did not qualify her to adequately comfort me. Or I could choose to play a pivotal role in teaching her about this sorrow that was unknown to her.
This is written to the mothers, fathers, siblings, and friends of those who experience infertility. Your willingness and ability to help bear the burden of infertility will make the pain more bearable and the sorrow not so deep. Here are some things to consider.
The gospel is family-oriented, as it should be, but it is often hard for a couple dealing with infertility to be reminded of it so often. We find joy in our relationships with those we love and feel comforted that family relationships continue eternally. It is important to remember that families are not just moms and dads with children. A family can be just a husband and wife. A family begins with a husband and wife. A family continues through the experiences of life whether there are no children, one child, or ten children. Make sure that, in cases of infertility, you help couples feel that they are a legitimate family.
Be genuine. Don't fake it. If you fake it, they will know. Are you asking them questions about their infertility because you are curious, because you have stewardship over the couple, or because you heard from someone else about their infertility? Or are you asking them because you are concerned about them and want to offer your support? What will you do with the information you gather? Remember that a truly genuine friend asks questions out of deep concern and love. A genuine friend will offer support and strength no matter what happens. This friend will carefully guard the information gathered and will respect the couple's wishes of who they want to know.
Couples experiencing infertility may be sensitive to announcements of pregnancy, overemphasis on children, or baby showers. Handle these topics with sensitivity. Invite women to baby showers, but do not be offended if they choose not to come. Make sure lessons in Sunday meetings are geared toward men and women across all life situations, taking into account those who are single or childless, those who have children, and those who are empty nesters. Additionally, provide activities that similarly apply to all. Be careful not to make children seem like a requirement.
Be careful about what you say. Infertile couples need less advice and more understanding. They will talk if they want to and if they see a caring friend. If you initiate the conversation, be sure you are motivated by compassion. As you discuss the topic of infertility with a couple, try not to act like the expert and as though you know what their specific problem is. Rather, allow the person experiencing the problem to do most of the talking. Ask questions to clarify and to gain a greater understanding so you can be better educated. Consider saying, "I just can't imagine what you are feeling. Describe it to me so that I can try to understand."
It can be harmful to bring up a story of how someone else got pregnant or how someone you know is experiencing infertility. Instead of offering help, you are taking the focus away from the couple. Provide a listening ear and gentle kindness.
One last thing: Be a good parent yourself. Recognize the truly magnificent gift you have - children. Treat your children well. Teach them. Cherish them.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
What Have the Felts Been Up To?
I decided the only way I was going to get things posted here was to do a list of things we have been doing the last few months with some pictures. It will be faster, and might be all I have time to do right now. It might be a long post, but long because of pictures and not lots of words. These things are in no particular order.
James is off the bottle for his naps! Time to work on bedtime.
James hanging out with his peeps
Unit Conferences
James still loves buttons
Stake dance AKA Mock Prom
James loves to crawl up and sit on the couch to watch TV.
Getting everything ready for Youth Conference - Keriann has taking on the registration
James still loves the alphabet.
Jon went to the "Aaronic Priesthood Commemoration Campout" AKA Father and Sons Campout. He said he would take James next year.
James watching TV (he was not too happy with me for taking this picture)
James had a mild strain of the Rotavirus (that is what his doctor thinks since it was going around).
We have eaten lots of popsicles.
James chillin' on the couch with his remote.
James is getting more molars (he already has 14 teeth, 4 of which are molars)
James has discovered sticking his lip out.
James helps make dinner. James ala King, anyone?
Cleaned the church
OCD? Aspergers? Or just wanting all your fish in a row?
Watching College Softball - the Road to the World Series of Softball
Mud Hens Game
James ate most of the time until we walked him around in the stroller.
James is off the bottle for his naps! Time to work on bedtime.
James hanging out with his peeps
Jon has had two sacrament speaking assignments.
"Mom, whacha doin'?"
Jon is getting ready to take "STEP 2 CS" (which is basically the practical part of the boards) in Chicago
James helps Mom with the laundry
James trying on Moms clothes
James still loves buttons
James loves to crawl up and sit on the couch to watch TV.
James still loves the alphabet.
James watching TV (he was not too happy with me for taking this picture)
We have eaten lots of popsicles.
James has discovered sticking his lip out.
Notice the ink on his shirt. This was right after he got a hold of the ink pad.
Many trips to the Toledo Zoo
James helps make dinner. James ala King, anyone?
OCD? Aspergers? Or just wanting all your fish in a row?
Mud Hens Game
Monday, May 17, 2010
St. Marys, Ohio
The meetings went really well. I love nursery! James did really well, and did not want to leave when church was over. Thank you, Brother Stucki and the others working in the nursery. It is amazing how much more I get out of church when James is in the nursery.
In our combined Young Men and Young Women meeting, President Smith talks about Joshua and what a great man he was. Do you realize that there were over 600,000 men (20 and older) who left Egypt with Moses? Of those men, only 2 entered into Israel. The rest died in the wilderness. Those 2 men were Joshua and Caleb. Why were only 2 allowed to enter Israel? They "wholly followed the Lord" (Numbers 32:12). There were only 2 of 600,000 who were completely faithful.
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