~Beckstead Family~

Beautiful baby girl needs help to get home

2011-09-18T01:40:00.003-06:00

Such a beautiful little baby girl. I couldn't help but donate to her cause to help her get to her forever home!! Please help if you can!!

http://babynumber10.blogspot.com/2011/09/opportunity-to-act.html

December 18th, 2009-Lauren's adoption day

2010-02-04T00:30:00.002-07:00

Today was the day that my beautiful, wonderful, blessing of a daughter, Lauren, was adopted by her daddy.
For those of you who don't know...I'm not ashamed to say how this beautiful angel came into my life. I was 19 years old, living on my own, living the way I thought I wanted, and doing what I wanted. I found out I was pregnant. I was scared, overwhelmed, and dealing with about the biggest reality check I've ever known. I knew from the moment I found out I was pregnant that I wanted to be a mom and that the little being I was carrying would only make my life better...I had no idea how my life would change or the roller coaster being a mommy is but I am so glad that I kept her. There were people who thought it would be best for me to place her up for adoption. That is such a blessing in some peoples lives...but I knew it wasn't for me.

I was thinking about it the other day actually. I have thought over the last 12 and a half years...wondered if someone could have provided for her better, been a better mother to her, if she could've had better opportunities being in another family. She and I have had our challenges, but I wouldn't change a minute of it. She has blessed my life in ways I never imagined. I love her so much and I'm so glad she chose me to be her mom.

That being said, her biological father has never seen her or made any contact with her...it was a dream of mine and Jeremy's for him to adopt her when we got married...I only wish we could have done it earlier but maybe it's better we had time for him to truly become her daddy. He loves her (and Megan and Chase) like they have always been his and I'm so blessed to have the family that I do. Such a happy day, you can see it in their faces...long time coming, but worth the wait!!

Now on to the temple to have her sealed to us. THAT will be a truly beautiful day!!

Another photography session... :O)

2010-02-04T00:14:00.004-07:00

Dallin 3 months

2010-02-03T23:52:00.007-07:00

Chase's 8th birthday

2010-02-03T23:21:00.007-07:00

Chase had an awesome birthday, family from both sides came to our house, Jeremy made an AWESOME cake, good food, great family, great times!! :O) Here's a few pics...

Chase's Baptism and Dallin's blessing - Nov. 2009

2010-02-02T23:42:00.011-07:00

Wanted to share some pics from the awesome weekend in November that my big boy, Chase, was baptized and my little boy, Dallin, was blessed. It was a busy but wonderful weekend. :O)

Happy boy getting ready to be baptized...Daddy unfortunately couldn't be in the picture because he had to run to the church on a one hour break from work...barely made it and barely had enough time to baptize and bless Chase. So happy he could do it though!! :O)

Happy Father and Son, Jeremy IS smiling...he has bells palsy. :O(

Daddy and Dallin

Dallin in his blessing outfit Grandma Beckstead made. :O)

My attempt at photography...

2009-10-29T13:02:00.014-06:00

Ha ha ha! So I wanted to get some not so candid photos of my kiddos...this was how it turned out. Not too bad...just need to make sure I check things before I click...like the background and stuff. I think they're cute anyways. :O) Let me know what you think...

He's here!!

2009-10-11T22:13:00.002-06:00

Dallin Douglas Beckstead was born Wednesday, August 26th, 2009. He was 9 lbs 4 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. We love him so much and everytime one of us is holding him the phrase "He's so cute!" is almost always being said. I think we like him...just a little. :O) He is very loved and loves to BE loved. He cries if we put him down or he is awake and no one is paying attention to him. I've said he's spoiled but I don't mind one bit. His brother is so proud to be a big brother and the girls love love LOVE to hold, change, play with, basically do anything just to be near him. He has blessed our home in ways I never imagined. My only regret is that it has taken me this long to post about him...bad mommy!! :O( I'll try to be better!! :O)

So important, wanted to share...

2009-07-10T15:22:00.010-06:00

My wonderful sister in law told me about this little video

and I feel it is important enough to share with my friends.

With my own past and sometimes present marital issues

I felt Elder Oakes makes such a great statement here.

No marriage is perfect, I've had to tell myself that many

times and I think it's hard not to realize that sometimes.

Until 2 people are perfect, no marriage will be perfect.

And that's why we're all here...to (try) to perfect ourselves

and do the best we can. I truly feel that marriage is under

attack right now and couples need all the help they can

get. Gotten more lengthy in this post than I wanted to but

I hope maybe this video will help

even one marriage. :O)

Families can be forever!! :O)

Couldn't figure out how to embed it so you'll have to

just click on the link. :O)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ1yLFIEVNo

Hawaii!!

2009-06-12T00:07:00.003-06:00

So this is so late, but the first week of May we got to go to HAWAII!! Yeah, we were super excited, first time for me, as well as, the kids. It was awesome and we had such a great time. Jeremy's parents went too and it was beautiful.

I didn't upload all the pics to my blog because there are so many but I have them on my facebook and myspace if you want to see them.

We were so blessed to be able to go and we can't wait to go back...although next time it might just be Mommy and Daddy!! :O)

My daughter is TWELVE?!?!?

2009-06-11T23:42:00.006-06:00

That's right, on May 17th, my Lauren turned 12!! I can't believe it. I can't believe she is now in Young Womens, I can't believe she is going on her first temple trip two Saturdays from now and Girls Camp NEXT WEEK!! It doesn't even seem that long ago that I was doing those things for the first time and now I have a daughter old enough to do them??? CRAZY!! She is such a joy in our life, she is such a big help and a sweet spirit. She has a tender heart and tries so hard to be a good example to her younger sister and brother. I couldn't have asked for a better oldest child. I love her so much!!

Here is the cake daddy made for her. Yeah, the man cooks AND bakes. He also made homemade pizza for her party, which the girls loved.

The second picture is of her holding her cousin, Ryker. (LOVE HIM!!) I can't wait to see her with our new addition coming soon. I know she will be a HUGE help and such a great big sister. The third picture is from her party in Tri-Cities with family. I can hardly believe my eyes when I look at her and how beautiful she is inside and out. Happy Birthday, Lauren!!

Chase won a bike!

2009-06-11T23:01:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago I came home to find out that Chase had WON a new bike from a drawing they had at his school. The kids had to read and mark off boxes for every 15 minutes they read. We have the kids read for 30 minutes a day so he racked up quite a lot of "miles". Apparently enough to be one of only 2 kids in his school to win a bike. He also won a cool new helmet. He was beaming with pride. What a great day for him!!

Yay yay yay yay!!

2009-06-01T10:29:00.000-06:00

THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON trailer in HD

We're having a...

2009-04-29T12:37:00.003-06:00

So Chase was right! And quite a few friends as well! We're having a BOY!! :O) We're super excited and can't wait to have him here. Can't wait to see what he looks like, his little personality, and all the sweetness that comes too. He is in the 95th percentile...meaning, he is above average for size. Hopefully he won't be TOO big when it comes time to get him out! :O) Lauren was my biggest baby so far and at 9lbs 10oz, was plenty big enough. :O) We'll take him however we get him though. :O)

Why Mormons build temples

2009-04-27T12:11:00.001-06:00

I love this video about why we build temples. I think people have a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings about a lot of the things we do and hold sacred. Enjoy! :O)

My news and My Little Man, Chase

2009-04-07T22:45:00.006-06:00

Sorry it's been so long...and I DO have news, although I don't know that anyone who reads my blog will be surprised because I've announced it everywhere else. :O)

I'm pregnant!! :O) I'm 19 weeks, we find out what we're having next week and we're so excited. But one of my kids already seems to know what I'm having. He's pretty sure.

Chase is determined that I am having a boy, wonder why. :O) He refers to the baby as "he" every time. Tonight he said the cutest thing I had to write about.

We're talking about the baby and when we find out and he's so excitedly talking about it I'm grinning. He says "I'm gonna ask Jesus what it is." I said, "I thought you already know it's a boy." LOL! He says "I'm just gonna double check."

I need to be better about writing down their funny sayings because I forget and they're such funny kids I just love them all so much.

I was thinking about that yesterday when I was making dinner and they were in the kitchen with me and they had been gone all this last week at my parents for Spring Break and I had missed them so much at the time but it really hit home when I was back in the routine of it all that can be kindof overwhelming at times but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I enjoyed the time to myself last week but I love the everyday mommy stuff. :O)

(Had to brag for a minute. MOMMY MOMENT!!)

My Megan :O)

2009-01-16T20:19:00.003-07:00

Ok, so I'm thinkin' I'm SOO over trying to "catch up" my blog. LOL Anyhoo...I had to write a couple things about my beautiful daughter, Megan. She said a couple things today that have made me laugh out loud and wanted to share.

First, we're sitting at the dinner table and I can't remember what we were talking about but she says, "If that's how you roll, roll when I'm not here." LOL!! I about died!!

The second thing was later when she started copying me, which is NOTHING NEW, LOL, and a minute later she came up to me and said, "You know how to get me to stop copying you??" Then she comes up and whispers in my ear "Say a bad word, cause I don't like to say bad words." LOL!! I laughed so hard.

This is my Megan, she will say stuff out of the blue that just cracks me up!! I love her!! :O)

TWILIGHT!!!

2008-11-11T00:55:00.001-07:00

2008-09-17T22:32:00.001-06:00

You Are An ISFJ

The Nurturer

You have a strong need to belong, and you very loyal.
A good listener, you excel at helping others in practical ways.
In your spare time, you enjoy engaging your senses through art, cooking, and music.
You find it easy to be devoted to one person... a partner who you do special things for.

In love, you express your emotions through actions.
Taking care of someone is how you love them. And you do it well!

At work, you do well in a structured environment. You complete tasks well and on time.
You would make a good interior designer, chef, or child psychologist.

How you see yourself: Competent, dependable, and detail oriented

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, dominant, and stuck in a rut

What's" Your Personality Type?

November & December 2007

2008-05-06T21:42:00.005-06:00

In November one of the "girls" that was in my Laurel class when I taught in 2005-2006 got married. I got to go to the sealing, it was awesome, the sealing room was bursting at the seams there were so many people there that love Jill and Brad. The kids and I got to go to the reception later that night, it was beautiful...and let's just say Lauren was in love with the chocolate fountain. LOL!! Thankfully she didn't stick her fingers in it!! Or maybe she just didn't get caught!! I guess we'll never know!! LOL!!

December flew by, as it always does with Christmas looming. We went up to my parents house and surprised the kids Christmas morning with a scavenger hunt that lead them around the house to find different clues, at the final clue there was the "Disney" movie "Underdog", to go with the "Disney" theme...and we made a poster board with a phrase to figure out, the kids had to unscramble some letters and figure out what it said....well, the finished product was "We're going to Disneyland!" The kids were shocked, surprised, and excited...so were Jeremy and I. Lauren's face is priceless. :O) It was a great Christmas....Disneyland...here we come!!!

October 2007

2008-05-05T22:26:00.011-06:00

In mid October Jeremy and I got to have a weekend to ourselves, my parents took the kids and we rented a cute, little cabin in Sumpter, OR. It was the CUTEST, one bedroom cabin. It's called the Lazy Moose Cabin and it's decorated in all, you guessed it, Moose stuff...it was SOOO cute!! The BEST part, other than my man cooking incredible food for us....there were deer EVERYWHERE!! AND they would eat out of your hand!! If you had the right food, of course, they LOVED our apples, and even ate a few dog biscuits. LOL, It was really nice to have that time with my man and to have such an awesome experience!!

Then the Saturday before Halloween, it was Boo at the Zoo, it's something the Boise Zoo has every year where the kids can wear their costumes and different vendors and people hand out candy and you can also enjoy the animals. I went with my girlfriend, Birdeena, (from High school) and her 2 kids, it was really fun!! And the kids looked super cute!!

Then on Halloween, Jeremy painted a beard on Chase, it was stinkin' cute!! And the girls, of course, looked beautiful, even Megan, who was a witch, pretty sure I think she's the cutest witch I've ever seen. :O) And Lauren the movie star...yeah, I learned it will be a LONG time before I let her wear make-up for real. :O) Not that she needs it at all though.

Still more catching up...

2008-05-05T21:52:00.013-06:00

Late August 2007 the kids started school, Lauren in 5th grade (yeah, holy cow, I know!!), Megan in 3rd, and Chase in Kindergarten. They were the usual excited/nervous/anxious on the first day. I got a couple pics:

In September, we went to the Discovery Center in Boise on a rainy Saturday, it was really cool, they had all sorts of science-like exhibits and hands-on things to do, but I would have to say, by far, the kids favorite things were the little "Grocery Store" and the "Vet Clinic", they played at both of those stations for quite a while, it was fun watching them organize the grocery store and check out. Then at the Vet Clinic they had lab coats and stethescopes and REAL x-rays of different animals, even a SNAKE!! It was so fun!!

2008-05-01T22:51:00.001-06:00

Take the Quiz here!

...and more....

2008-03-03T19:12:00.026-07:00

I'm posting these in blocks because I can't seem to make them look right and adding pictures makes it even harder....yeah, apparently I'm a little slow. LOL :O)

Anywhoo...in May 2007, Lauren turned the ripe old age of 10 and we decided that was a good age to have her first sleepover. And surprisingly enough, the next day, after everyone went home Jeremy ACTUALLY said "That was the perfect age, I wouldn't mind doing that again." :oO Yeah, I almost fell over when he said that!! It was really fun for the girls, ok, and me too...they played the candy bar game, that was a big hit (candy bar game: buy a BIG candy bar and wrap it with many layers of newspaper. Then get a dice, a pair of gloves (or socks, in our case), a hat, a scarf, and a spoon and butter knife. Each person takes a turn rolling the dice, trying to roll a specific number that is pre-decided, when someone rolls that number they QUICKLY put all the clothing on and then try to open the candy bar with the spoon and butter knife, all the while everyone ELSE is continuing to roll the dice for THEIR turn at the chocolate.) This game is SUPER fun and not the LEAST bit quiet, I haven't heard that much shrieking, screaming, and giggling in a long time, well since the last time we played it. LOL :O) Megan can't WAIT to turn 10 to get HER first sleepover. ;O)

In June 2007 we went down to Utah to visit Jeremy's sister Amy and her husband Brian and on one of the days we went to a remote area (just the local kid-filled park....NOT!!) lol and shot them. Lauren LOVES shooting the "Cricket" which is a smaller-sized 22. It's so fun! J and I love to shoot it too, we just look like giants with a toy gun. LOL Amy was also pregnant at this time with their first baby after having 5 miscarriages, we were SOOOO happy for her!!

Subsequently, at the end of July 2007, Amy and Brian came up to OUR house and we LOVE when they come over, they are a lot like J and I (in the fact that we are ALL kind of juvenile tee hee) and well, I had the bright idea to play Hide-n-seek with the kids (a family favorite) and well, I personally LOVE the thrill of hiding and someone coming to FIND me.....unfortunately, Amy, gets really anxious and almost ill when that happens, that and the fact that she was having a hard time finding hiding places with a pregnant belly in the way (hiding under the bed?? didn't work so well. lol), well, she got a really upset stomach and didn't end up feeling too great (I felt SOOO bad!!). Well, the next day or so they went home.....yeah, well less than a week later she had their beautiful, healthy, baby girl, Elizabeth Marie.........a month EARLY on August 2nd!! Yeah, I know, we SOOO put her into pre-term labor!! Way to go, Aunt Sara!! LOL THANKFULLY she was completely healthy, aside from a slight case of jaundice. Whew!! We were and are so happy for them!!

In the middle of August I took the kids up to Spokane for a visit but we first spent some time in the Tri-Cities with my family for my brother, Jason's birthday and my beautiful neice, Caitlin. It was a short visit but we had a lot of fun, the cousins LOVE being together.

In Spokane, we stayed with one of my best friends and we had a BLAST!! Every time we go up there we ALWAYS go to Manito Park, it is my FAVORITE!!! It is like a SUPER park, it has a bunch of smaller parks in one big one, there's a pond with ducks and swans to feed bread, there are play toys, a lilac garden, a japanese garden, a rose garden, a conservatory, and my personal favorite, the Alice in Wonderland garden....no, it's not really called that, but it LOOKS like it is from Alice in Wonderland!! It has all these cute little cut-out flower beds with flowers of every color in them, potted plants, a fountain, a gazebo, tall hedges on all sides, it is the COOLEST!! Well, the COOLEST part of that particular area is the tall, grass hill at one end....it has become a tradition for my kids, (yes, and on occasion, me) to roll down this hill over and over again, the kids LOVE this and I LOVE that they love it. We also got to eat at our most favorite, and sorely missed, Italian Restaurant, Tomato Street. YUM!! I really do miss Spokane and I love to visit anytime I can.

More catching up...

2008-03-03T17:21:00.008-07:00

Where were we......Oh yeah, in April 2007 I cut the girls hair, they loved it so we took some pics...and no, I'm not changing my profession. LOL :O) Also in April we rented an awesome condo in McCall (a small town up north) for a few days and had a blast. We brought our dogs and one of them ended up falling through some ice so our brave daddy had to rescue her and we all had to hurry back to fight off frost bite. Fun fun!!

In May of 2007 the kids and I did the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Breast Cancer Walk, it took on even MORE meaning because one of my best friends that worked where I work had been diagnosed with breast cancer the previous February. The people at my work all got hats that said "We Walk With Holly" so I made shirts for my kids so they would feel like part of the group. It was a tiring walk but well worth the cause. We love Holly!!

Pre Race With Holly :O) After the race with Holly

Holy cow a LOT of catching up to do!! :O)

2008-01-21T20:10:00.004-07:00

Well, I guess you could say we've been having fun because the time has flown by!! I can't believe it's been almost 2 years since I last posted on here...CRAZY!! But I DO keep up on my Myspace, so I haven't completely fallen out of on-line civilization. :O) To wrap up the last almost 2 years, I'll do my best...Here goes...

In August of 2006 we went to our Ward Campout at this awesome-although rather remote-campsite that had a bunch of tire swings and an awesome water slide...we ALL had a blast and I'm soo glad we got to go. I love our ward!!

Labor Day 2006 we went on a family camping trip...we went to a pretty rustic campground...the bathrooms were cavernous holes over what looked to be a toilet. LOL There was no running water which was an adventure getting more when we ran out!! Oh yeah, and on the way in we saw a baby rattlesnake....baby or not it still scared the crap out of me hearing it rattle and seeing it get all coiled up. EWWWW!! We had a blast!!

In September of 2006 I started working for a company called Impact Directories. It's a phone book company. I originally went there thinking it would be a week long temporary job, but the manager asked me to stay so I did. I am a sales assistant and I am on the phone all day which is why I tend to avoid the phone when I am home at night! LOL :O) Jeremy started working temporarilly for the post office and loved that.

In February 2007 Megan got baptized. It was an awesome day and a lot of our family came to Idaho for the occasion. I know she was thrilled and really enjoyed her special day.

Well, updating on 2 years of info with pictures is time consuming....and I am out of practice...atleast with THIS site. LOL So I will finish where I left off ASAP!! :O) Later gator!!

Change is good.....right??? :)

2006-04-29T10:04:00.000-06:00

We got a new digital camera a while back and have been having a lot of fun with it since. Even Lauren is a pro!
The week before last I was released from my calling of Laurels advisor, which I ADORED. I was super sad and totally unprepared for that surprise...I guess I got too comfortable and we all know that as soon as you get comfortable along comes change. I am now going to be teaching the CTR 8 class in primary. I know I will love this new adventure as much as I did the other...change is just not something I have ever handled well. But I have a loving support group that will surely see my through. Here's to change!! :)

Good and bad times...

2006-04-06T10:38:00.000-06:00

Well, we had some excitement in January, February, and half of March...we found out we were pregnant...YAY!! We were so excited, especially the kids. Then the third week of march I miscarried. It just goes to show not to forget to count your blessings. It really put things into perspective for me...I have three healthy, happy, beautiful children...what a blessing and miracle that is. We do hope to have a baby so we will keep trying, but we are truly a happy family the way we are. If only Chase could be a big brother like he so much wants to. :)

my pic

2006-04-06T10:36:00.000-06:00

Me....in case you wanted to know!! :)

Back to life as usual

2006-01-04T09:57:00.000-07:00

Christmas is over...tree has been taken down...wrapping paper mess long gone...it's funny...I dreaded that part as a kid...now I seem to be "hooraying" in my head!! Ha ha ha. Don't get me wrong...I still look forward to the holidays...but with adulthood comes responsibility...bills... and the ever depressing Christmas in October stuff. It gets here earlier every year...so by the time Christmas is ACTUALLY here I am burned out and the kids are completely WIRED!! I think that's why we have children...to prevent, or at least slow, the cynicism process.

This year we tried to get away from the Santa part a little and focus more on the real reason for Christmas that the world seems to be forgetting. My proud moment was when Megan's teacher informed me that Megan had proudly told her that "Christmas isn't about the presents or Santa...it's about Jesus being born." IN SCHOOL no less...I couldn't have been prouder.

Jeremy and I got to spend time with his family, which was nice. The kids were with their dad and as sad as we were to not have them for Christmas we had to smile a little when all the other grandkids would start fighting or screaming and we realized it wasn't OUR kids!! Ha ha ha ha!! And who doesn't love not having to fix three other plates as well as your own for the meals?? It was almost scary!! Ha ha ha! Atleast next year we will have them for Christmas to make even more memories. We wouldn't trade those for all the freetime in the world.

Here's hoping that the holidays were magical for you all!!