Many faces of Savannah!

Here are a few picture's of Savannah dressing up AND posing for the camera. I just love this little angel of mine.

This is a great video!

To turn music off scroll to bottom and hit the pause button. That way you will not be interupted while watching. I saw this video and thought WOW they have been warning us for a very long time. I also enjoyed watching President Ezra Taft Benson I had never heard him speak before.Very strong force.

Long time...

I know it has been along time since a family update, so here it is... July came and went James came home and we got really busy.. August was a wonderful month we spent some time in AZ with famiy and friends camping and just playing. Katelynn turned eight and was baptized two days later. The whole family except Uncle Preston (in Army bootcamp) and Uncle Glenn(Just moved to Montana) were there. We Had tons of fun and she was so happy. She was thrilled to get money for her birthday, because she had been working and saving all year for a Nintendo DS and she was finally able to get one "so thanks to everyone"! She was also very excited to get her ears peirced which she has been wanting since last year. I had talked to her and told her if she still wanted them when she was eight we would do it. I did not want it to be a peer pressure thing. Since then the kids have started school and are loving it. Katelynn has a really nice teacher who works them hard all day, and she hardly has any homework. Austin is loving school and is writing really well. He is getting really good about coloring in the lines and I am told is a joy to have in class. I am so proud of my kiddos.. Katelynn is super busy now that she is 8 she goes to activity days and is still in Gymnastics and is doing really well. Her favorites are the balancing beam and the Uneven bars. James is adjusting well and has gotten back into work. We might be moving here soon, but do not know just yet. I am busy as can be doing Joy School with a couple of mom's in our ward. I have been loving this time with Savannah and her friends. I am learning a lot about myself along spending time with her. I also have been enjoying the quite time I get when I do not teach. Not having any kids around during the day was hard at first, but now I make sure I have things planned like; grocery shopping, cleaning house, doctor appointments. It fills in the time and I do not have to bring her to my boring activities... LOL James's Dad had a liver transplant and is doing well( Please do not contact the family). Fall is here, and I love love love the cooler weather. I will get pictures on as soon as our computer is fixed. Love you all Heidi and Family

I forgot!

I was reading the last post and realized I forgot to add the most important part of the whole trip so here it is... Before I planned an emergency visit to AZ, I was planning on a trip to the Albuquerque Temple that same weekend. I thought If I cannot go I will be close to feel the spirit and have that special uplifting I needed. Also with Katelynn being so close to being Baptized I thought it would be cool for her. I also have never seen it before and wanted to go on a day trip. James had reminded me of the plans I was making when I got home, and I decided that the lord knows what is best for me and my family. He knew what I was needing and what my family needed at the time.. I do by the way have my temple recommend with me at all times now... I love the Lord and the gospel.

I love to see the Temple!

So the kids and I decided to go to Phx. on a whim, due to Grandpa going into the hospital. We had Three days to visit, and I always try to get to the Temple when I am home. It is so difficult having a Temple only 30min away, and not being able to go because it is in another Country. The military has banned "James" from going due to hostile environment. So I actually got all the woman in the Fisher family to go with me this visit... As Stacey and I were driving back to phx after dropping off my children with Grammy I got this gnawing feeling to look in my wallet. For some reason I did not put my recommend in my NEW wallet and did not have it. Thank goodness we were not too far from her house, and she was able to take me home and continue on with the rest of the bunch...(I was so sad not being able to go) I turned my luck around and decided I was still going. I called my mom told her I would be there in 30min to be ready and we were off. I am so happy I got the chance to take my kids and mother to the Temple. Even just walking the grounds made my weekend. The spirit that you feel being in the presence of GOD, so close to the veil. AHH I really don't know how to explain it a nice warm and relaxing feeling. I felt at ease and was able to regain my momentum for the rest of James's tour. I loved the pictures and the wonderful video's we watched. I wanted to share with Katelynn the feeling of the temple and to be able to help her to feel the spirit. It is getting so close to her being Baptized. I honestly have a hard time keeping it together the feelings I feel, and when I think about my own Baptism only 8yrs ago December. I talked to her afterwards and asked her if she was feeling anything. She responded looking shyly "Yes MOM I felt something I felt like crying it was a wonderful feeling"... WOW I was so happy and taken back with that response. She really is an inspiration for me, and I really feel like she gets it. She sees things as if she were 12 not 8. I love her very much. I also got some really good pictures for my wall. I love the Temple and what it represents for me. Remembering the first time we went and got our Endowments and were Sealed together as a family, with Austin (2months) and Katelynn (2years). I remember being overwhelmed and happy all in one. Katelynn holding Austin's hand cause he kept moving it. I tell you it made me cry seeing her helping her baby brother... I love my family, and I am so Happy I forgot my Recommend this time. I also am so happy my mom was able to go. I think she needed it too. She was getting ready for a trip back home to see her sister and brother, and was able to pick up some good material for her sister, and also set up a meeting with the Missionaries. Yippee!!! I am so happy. I cannot wait to go again, but this time with my Husband and my Temple Recommend.

We love when Daddy comes home!

Katelynn kept trying to sing this song, and I felt bad cause I did not know it very well. I am so thankful for the Internet and that I can just pull up a song and we learned it together...James is finally home! It has been a long 15months, but it is over and we are now a family again. We were waiting at the airport with our sign and our flags to wave high for Daddy to see. Katelynn was the first to hug Daddy then Savannah. Austin just kind of lingered for Daddy to notice which I thought was weird considering he was super anxious for a few days waiting for Daddy to come home. Then it was my turn. I almost forgot what he smelled like wearing that uniform. It is comforting and safe feels good to know he is home… I love him so much… He was so super excited to come home too. Not just to get out of Afghanistan, but to be home with his Family his dog, and to be able to breathe the air of Freedom. He is still adjusting to the time zone difference which is hard, but he is doing great. They have to work half days to reintegrate back into society. Classes on what not to do, and things they need to be watchful for. I do have to say I am grateful for the gospel, and the power of prayer. He was kept safe and heeded warnings from the spirit. I am so grateful to all of you who prayed for him and his safe return. Now it is time to pray for another soldier, knowing that we have so many men and woman out there away from their families is hard to think of in this moment, but I must bring it forward and pray for them, and forever be grateful for my soldier’s safe return. James was so excited to bring the kids something from Afghanistan; Katelynn a hat with their logo the scorpion and Fisher on the back. It is dated from the months he has been gone. Austin also a hat, but different type of hat it has the scorpion logo and the flags with dates of where Daddy was for these past 15months. Savannah was given an Afghanistan hat and scarf that the little ones there wear to cover themselves with. Then brought Katelynn a very special gift he gave her a journal made out of camel and the paper is calligraphy paper. He told her she should only write special things in it; like when she is baptized and make it special memories not to show it to everyone. These would be special memories to remember when you are older. Well she took off asked me for a pin.( I believe she already had a special memory to write) It was so cute. I also received a journal (he knows me and that I love journals). Hooray Hooray Daddy is home.


>

My wakeup call!!!

Before all this chaos started I remember praying and fasting that I would be a good mother while James was gone. I prayed and prayed that I would be able to handle all that was thrown at me. I also made a special prayer for Katelynn. That as my oldest child I would not take away her childhood, and lean on her too much for help. I believe that I am guilty of this. I have struggled knowing that there have been times where I have been sick or just down and out that I have needed her help, and I believe that it has become easy to ask her to do things and she willingly does them. I love this wonderful daughter of mine. She is an inspiration to me as she prepares herself for Baptism this August and understands so much at the young age of 7. I do not believe I would have understood as she does. She has asked questions this past year that I could not answer which made me want to read the Book of Mormon more to help her understand the things she seeks. She is smart and very inquisitive and wants to learn with me. I think that I have taken advantage of that; of her being older than her years. The Lord has brought me back to being a mother to my 7 year old. As M. Russell Ballard states “There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." I love my children and know that they are miracles and blessings from Heavenly Father. I know that I am not alone in this journey I am reminded by this statement from President Monson "At times some may think that no one cares--but someone always cares! Your Heavenly Father will not leave you to struggle alone, but stands ever ready to help." I fear that I have failed Katelynn in some way. This past week was a hard one. I put Katelynn in danger because I thought she was (adult) enough to know what she was doing. When I should have babied her and been the proper mother I know I can be. I cried and asked myself why I did not respond like I should have. I had been leaning on her so much that I was becoming blinded by her (adult) likeness. As I have been studying this week for guidance I have learned that it is ok to make mistakes and to learn from them. President Hinckley states it perfect he says "There has come to you as your birthright something beautiful and sacred and divine. Never forget that. Your Eternal Father is the great Master of the universe. He rules over all, but He also will listen to your prayers as His daughter and hear you as you speak with Him. He will answer your prayers. He will not leave you alone." I needed this moment in my life to bring it all back into perspective. I am not alone and I need to continue my daily scripture study and searching for the help I need. I also need to pray with more sincerity for the things I may be struggling with at the time. I have been learning that even during the comfortable times, I still need Heavenly Father more than ever. I love my kids with all of my being. I cannot imagine my life without any of them. Thank you Heavenly Father for the wakeup call I needed that. I will leave with this last quote by President Monson "When we remember that each of us is literally a spirit son or daughter of God, we will not find it difficult to approach our Heavenly Father in prayer. He appreciates the value of this raw material which we call life. 'Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God' (D&C 18:10). His pronouncement inspires purpose in our lives." I will live by this in fullness of my heart I hope you will too.