Up at the Klingler's in Newdale, Idaho. Christmas Day. The weather finally calmed down enough to play in the snow, and we wanted to try out Payton's new sled.
"Grenade Wars", as Payton called them. That was really all Payton wanted to do. Sledding didn't last that long. Above: Mom and Payton, showing our "tough"faces.
Daddy and Payton with their REALLY tough faces!
Cute boys ready to sled.
Kade tried out a rather dangerous hill first, and this was how he landed!
Nicole and Payton
Trying out the sled!
Payton and Daddy
On Christmas Eve we went out to Kade's grandparents home, the Richard's family, for dinner and fun! It was a really yummy and relaxing evening. When we got home we each got to open a special present (our Christmas Jammies- these are Payton's), we read the Christmas story, set some goals which we wrote down and put in a white stocking for Jesus, and then went to bed!!!!! Awaiting an exciting morning!
This was the front of my house this morning. Unfortunately, the picture doesn't do it justice! If you look closely there is white all over the siding. The wind has been blowing SIDEWAYS, which leaves a pretty dusting on the houses that looks like powdered sugar on a cake.
Beautiful! But VERY cold! Some crazy guys on 4-wheelers came around to plow peoples porches, sidewalks and driveways for a few bucks. Guess they knew no one wanted to brave that cold, sideways wind. I took them up on it- since you couldn't get in or out of my driveway because of the snowdrifts. It was worth it. Thanks guys!
You know all the cute little things kids say while they are young? Well- here are the latest that we've enjoyed:
1) Payton was in our bathroom getting chapstick out of Kade's drawer. He said, "Mom, I need this really bad or my lips will get TRAPPED!"
2) We did some Christmas shopping on a Saturday. The three of us were driving in the car, talking about all the fun things Payton would be able to teach his new sibling once he or she arrived. He asked, "Hey- so the baby hava grow big in your belly first?" We explained how the baby had to grow, and mommy's belly would grow REALLY big... and it would take a while. He seemed to understand saying, "Oh, OK. So, when the baby's gettin big enough it will come out your mouth."
ha-
So- do you really want to explain where the baby comes out to your three year old? Well, Kade and I looked at eachother and it was evident that neither of us felt like going there at the moment. So- explaination: "When the baby is big enough mommy will go to the hospital and the doctor will get it out." SILENCE...
Wow- no more questions? It was a miracle!
3) Driving home from a dance performance, Payton was in a grumpy, argumentative mood from having to sit still for too long. He started singing a song, which was TOO cute, so of course Kade and I had to giggle. Well- he was offended by that and proceded to yell at us. "Don't LAUGH at ME! DON'T! NO!"... and he continued to be pretty mean about it!
We told him sorry, but that it wasn't nice to talk that way, which got him in Kade into a comical arguing match that got LOUDER and LOUDER! Finally, Kade came back with...
"Hey! Payton Kade- I made you!" (you know, the classic "I brought you into this world, could take you out type of bit)
Well- Payton cut him off saying, "NO DAD! Jesus made me!"
Well Dad, got you there!
Payton has been able to perform 3 different times this Christmas season and he is a DELIGHT to watch. I think he enjoys that audiences applaus, so he does his very best! This is him in his Swedish- Lonely Goatherder Costume. After they performed that, they did "Jingle Bells", hance the bells on his wrists and ankles. What a cutie!
So- usually a morning phone conversation with friends or family begins with, "So, what are you up to today?" Its usually much... but nothing to glamorous, so I am going to keep myself honest and give you the "juicy" play by play.
Today (Friday Dec 12th) - Thankfully, not a busy work day.
Goal: wake at 8:00
Actual: woke at 8:45.... then put Payton in bed with me.
We ate breakfast in bed while he watched Idaho Public Television, and I did some work for the dance studio on my computer....still in jammies, w/ crazy hair.
Showered (both of us.... I like to save time), got ready 9:30-10:15
Mid morning snack!!!! 10:30
Phone calls, go over calendar, call Temple 11:00-11:30
Lunch (early....ALWAYS hungry) 11:30
Clean House (ugh, it really needs it)
Goal: get started cleaning at 10:45
Actual:12:00 (a little off)
.....
as the day goes on....
plan meals
shop for white elephant gifts for tomorrows Christmas party
quick stop at dance studio
SNACKS!
Quick NAP!
Babysit fellow instructors kids while she teaches 4:00-6:00
Dinner 6:15
Temple date with Kade @ 7:00 ( I better at least be on schedule for THAT!)
So... not SO interesting. If it seems like my day is interspersed with lots of food and some laziness... well, IT IS! Symptoms...Always tired, and I feel like I am STARVING (however a quick glance at my hips in the mirror before my shower told be that I am quite obviously NOT starving. Haha, thats good right?..(.thats where I like to gain my baby weight :))
Hope your days go as planned, just like mine!!! haha
But you know, no day is ever a failure, and being a wife and mom is more rewarding than any "glamorous" career I could ever dream of. And besides, I did at least put makeup on today....so I FEEL glamorous...I think that matters more.
Love
Nicole
My cute mom brought up a cooking set that is just Payton's size. He has a little pan, a whisk, spatula, rubber scrapers, an egg timer, and a boiled egg slicer.... all with these cute little chickies on them. Well, my mom is a genius, because she came and taught him how to make omlettes in his own little pan, and its changed the way he eats! What a good boy, I can usually get him to eat an egg everyday.
Next stage of independence, the way he wears his underwear. I took him potty and discovered that the one pair of underpants I originally put on him just wasn't enough! (i had put the boxer breifs on him.) He later convinved Grandma that he had to wear the other pair AS WELL... and this was the cute picture I got as a result. (whitey tighties over top)
My Sister-in-law Hailey had this cute picture of Payton on her blog from a family get together on the 4th of July. I HAD to post it, b/c he is too cute when he shoots his bow. Now that its cold, he practices with his daddy in the basement. He keeps getting better and better!
The Bowen Family, Sweet, Id. Thanksgiving 2008. We hope all of you had a fabulous holiday with family and friends. We were so grateful to be able to spend it with the Bowen side this year over in Boise. What a fun and relaxing week for us. We are also thankful to share the news that we are expecting again! We hope all goes well with this pregnancy so we might have the blessing of another little one in our home. (Payton has been begging for a sister for over a year now.)
A new year is coming soon, and hopefully for us, an addition to our family, and it gives me much to think about. My strongest thoughts revolve around the world in which we live, its state, and how things will change. We have had some scary changes in the world and in our economy lately...and I am sure there will be more to come....harder things to come, and wonderful things to come. Am I prepared for change? Am I prepared to raise beautiful, innocent children in a wicked world? I know most mommies wonder the same thing....but what do we do.
Joseph Smith said:
"The Lord will feel after you and He will take hold of you and wrench your very heartstrings, and if you cannot (bear) it you will not be fit for the Celestial Kingdom of God."
...but the amazing thing about our loving Heavenly Father is that he will not subject us to any difficulty which is beyond our ability to resolve with His help. So, with that "wrenching of our heartstrings" so to speak, he freely GIVES us a way to bear it. He loves us. He strengthens us. Thats enough of an answer for me when I question what to do. I guess I just need to trust Him.
I am thankful that trust and a clean life are quite simply all it takes- because of Jesus Christ.
I am thankful for trusted friends and family, and those around us that make our life rich.
Happy Thanksgiving
The Klinglers
Grateful to my fabulous mom!! She gave us one of these for Christmas a couple years ago. I wanted to buy more and she let me know about how to get them at COSTCO.COM. You can order them directly from the company but they are 105$ per bucket and like 25$ for shipping, making them around 130$ per bucket, which is still a great buy on how much is in there. But, you can buy them from costco.com for 85$ a bucket and that includes shipping.
It contains 3month food supply for one person. I have 4 of them, which makes a years supply of food right there. They have diverse meals all drypacked in the bucket (its heavy!) and has a 20 year shelf life! Great thing about it is, in a natural disaster, what if all you had to do was grab your 72 hour kits and your buckets of food! HANDY! Also, use for camping and such.
If you don't have a costco membership and need help purchasing some for your food storage, just call me!
I know I am posting lots of text lately, but there is much going on in the world right now of importance. I boss emailed this to me and it is an eye opener.
Just want to share this email that I received from a friend. It's a letter
sent to her friend from people in Texas who just experienced 'Ike'. What a testimony for preparedness.
Dear Friends: We have a 6'x6' hole in our roof, no electricity or running water, Trees down everywhere. However, because we listened to the counsel of our Prophet we are prepared. In fact it seems to me that it's only the members of the church who seem to be calm, prepared, and helping one another with trees in roofs, flooding, etc. There is a POD or Point of Distribution in Tomball where we live. There you get water and ice IF you have enough fuel to wait in the 3-hour lines. We don't have to do that because we have 3 full water barrels, 75 juice bottles filled with water, and our pool, which is dirty, but we use it to flush. It is very difficult to get gas. Police guard the stations when fuel is delivered and you might wait half a day to get up to the pump just to have them say, 'Too bad, we are out'. I am grateful that we have a generator. We run it 4 hours a day to keep our fridge and light. I am grateful that we have had fuel for it. You can't even buy gas containers as they are rationed. We can only buy bread once a week and limited to 2 loaves at a time. Water is rationed by the case at the grocery store - 3 cases per family. The ATM machines do not have power. For the past 6 months I have stashed small bills away because I have had such a feeling of foreboding. We have cash because of that. LISTEN TO THE SPIRIT. Get cash in small bills because the stores can't make change and credit and debit cards often don't work. I had to pay 5 dollars more for an item because they couldn't make change for me. And . . . PHONES ONLY WORK OCCASIONALY. Believe it or not...I have not had a bath in 4 days, Today was the first day I got to wash my hair with pool water. I haven't fixed my hair in a week!!! It just doesn't matter anymore. We cannot do laundry because we don't have water. So, we wear our clothes until they are literally disgusting. When we do finally get water we will have to boil it since it is contaminated. I am grateful for my parents. When we got low on generator fuel they drove 45 minutes to help us. They filled up their cans and brought us 10 gallons of fuel, which kept us going until this morning at 6:oo, am when we finally found some gas. A prepared Family and a loving extended family is the key to survival and making it through right now. I know that my parents would drive to the end of the earth to help me and it's nice knowing they are there. I know that I would do the same for my children. I want all of you to know that I have such a testimony of following the counsel of our li ving prophet. There really is safety and peace in your hear t if you are prepared. Please get your generators, 5 gas cans full of gas, canned goods, baby items, baby wipes to bathe, and all the water you can store...even if you have to trip on it in your home. Have your lanterns, crank flashlights, tarps, rope, etc. ready to go because you never know when it will be your turn to endure the test. It's overwhelming, but it's going to be ok eventually. I have a home, I have food, and I have water, because I listened to the counsel of the prophet. Please make sure you do the same. It's time to have your life in order. Tomorrow may be too late.
As leaders in the Young Women's program, we have been discussing the need for our beautiful young women to more regularly share their testimony of the gospel in order for it to be strengthened, so, I realized I needed to do the same and also, find more ways to do it. Also, I was inspired by an ENSIGN article that encouraged this type of sharing on the internet.... exactly what I am doing here.... sharing of testimony on BLOGS, MYSPACE, FACEBOOK, etc.
My testimony is this, and it has grown and changed over the years, line upon line. I know that God is my Heavenly Father. He is perfect, and he sent his perfect Son to be an example and a sacrifice for us. I know that Christ did indeed suffer for the sins of all... for mine, which are many, but truly, for EVERYONE! His love is perfect and real, and something we can feel and experience as we strive to have a relationship with him.
I know the Atonement is real. I have felt the arm of the Lord reaching for me in my worst times, in my deepest sins, whether is be through gentle nudgings of the spirit, or through the reaching out and concern of leaders, friends, family, and neighbors.
He will never desert you. You will never be alone.
I was never left alone, and for that I am most grateful. That unconditional love has nurtured me, changed me, and helped my testimony to grow into what it is today.
I had an experience when I was a sophomore in High School. I received a Patriarchal Blessing that year. In it, I was told "Heavenly Father loves you and is appreciative of the way in which you have lived your life thus far." I really struggled to believe this part of my blessing. It didn't seem possible. If I looked back on how I had lived my life thus far, all I could see were sins and mistakes.
We often feel that way, and through the following experience was how I came to have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
I attended a weekend getaway with some wonderful lessons and guest speakers, and in that weekend we were given a couple hours of personal time to go out into the woods and privately read, pray, ponder, and write in our journals. I remember so vividy my time there. I read and re-read my Patriarchal blessing, and as always, stumbled over that line with disbelief. I prayed to know how this could be true. Did Heavenly Father really mean this, or were these just the words of a man who really didn't know me? I prayed for almost an hour, and tears of frustration and inadequacy came to the surface. In seminary we learned that great inspiration comes through the ready of the scriptures, and so I opened to them, and the first verse on the first page I opened to read:
"For He is a God of truth and cannot lie."
In that instant so many things ran through my head. I look back now and know I was blessed with the whisperings of the spirit. I know that because of how I felt. Warm, tingly, loved, overwhelmed. This is how I feel physically when the spirit speaks to me. The thoughts that came were these:
"This is a true blessing from my Father given through a good and righteous man who was called as his mouthpiece. It IS TRUE. Heavenly Father is a God of truth and cannot lie. However, His statement of love and acceptance is true, but so is that fact that I sinned and did not live according to the commandments He has given. SO- this can only be true if Jesus truly did suffer for my sins, and through my repentance, the Lord "remembers them NO MORE."
Right then I believed that with all my heart. I knew what I learned was true. Jesus is the CHRIST..... he suffered for us. If we repent we ARE forgiven and our sins are remembered by Him no more.
This is part of my testimony, my knowledge of God, His son Jesus Christ, the Holy Ghost, and the power of the Atonement. I hope to share more later.
But for now..... you are TAGGED! Anyone who wants to be, and the four following people.
Kirii Jones (to read the testimony of my wonderful sister)
Lacey Peterson (to read the testimony of a brand new momma... congrats Lace!)
Jason Nichols (to read the testimony of a friend and convert)
Lynsi Theurer (to read the testimony of an inspiring and beautiful friend and leader)
Your choice! Don't feel pushed, but maybe recall this scripture:
"For behold, this is My work and My glory, to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."
And for that to happen the gospel has to roll forth- so we must share it however we can!
All my love-
NICOLE
This is a popular subject lately, and I just wanted to share with you an email I received from a good friend of mine who has just finished up an internship in Washington DC. She expresses the following about Proposition 8:
Hello my friends and family, For many of you it has been a long time, I know. I sure hope all is well. Sorry in advance for sending such a mass email. If i had the time i would send them personally one by one. Forgive me if this in any way seems inappropriate to you. My intention is not to be offensive or intolerant. This is really important to me. I am writing to you because something of great importance has come up in California that is threatening religious freedom, freedom of speech, and our rights as parents or future parents. I am talking about Prop 8 in California that is up for election this year in November. I dont have the time or space to write all that needs to be written to explain what i am referring to. However, there are videos, articles, etc. that explain the ramifications and consequences if Prop 8 DOES NOT pass. To highlight a few, our children will be taught in school (from K to 12) that same sex marriages are normal and accepted and that it is ok for children to like other children of the same sex. This should be the right of the parents not the schools. go to www.whatisprop8.com<http://www.whatisprop8.com/> and preservingmarriage.org<http://preservingmarriage.org> and protectmarriage.org<http://protectmarriage.org> for videos, articles, more info etc. This is SO important. PLEASE do not take this lightly. The consequences will be huge. It will affect the entire nation. We already voted on it once in Prop 22 and four activist judges based in San Fran overturned what the people said and legalized same sex marriage. This will affect our children. Those who are homosexual will not lose any rights. They will still have all benefits and tax benefits as heterosexual marriages. This is simply regarding the definition of marriage. It is a MORAL issue. It is not an act of tolerance. They cannot use tolerance as a cry against us and then use that same 'intolerance' against us by saying we arent tolerant. We need to unite, all faiths, all those interested in the family and protect the divine institution of marriage. If you are from CAlifornia, please register to vote and VOTE on Nove 4 YES YES YES for Prop 8. If you are not from California, make sure you talk to anyone you know who is and pass on this very important information! Please contact those you know DO ALL you CAN to get them to vote yes on Prop 8. Put it on your blogs, on your facebooks, podcasts, texts, etc.
Will be uploading more, along with some fun video of Payton, and my latest project, the dance store. But...patience, cuz my computer takes FOREVER to upload things. UGG. Anyway, lots are asking about who did our family photos.
Tavis Johnson out of Pleasant Grove, Utah. Check out his blog on my blogroll!
So, what a push over I am! Payton has been asking to get a bike for his birthday for about 6 months. Of course, when he finally found the perfect one he just HAD to have, I bought it and couldn't wait to save it till his birthday. How bittersweet it was to see my little cutie ride up and down the sidewalk as FAST as he could go. Where did the time go? When did he grow up? Well... I certainly enjoy it and loved the excitement his new bike brought.
Special thanks to all the girls who auditioned! Megan and I appreciate you coming out, and your school will appreciate you too!
Joining us for 2008-2009 will be:
#5
#30
#35
#34
Call backs:
#6
#31
Callbacks meaning, the judges thought you needed to work on a few things, but have fantastic potential. Since you are already signed up for the class we would like you to come tomorrow and next wednesday for technique. Practice up for the next week and please come back to be re-evaluated at our 2nd audition which we will probably have next Thursday, we will keep you posted on the details. You ladies did a nice job, and with a little practice, we would like to have you on this team.
So- Congratulations! You ladies danced beautifully.
For tomorrow, please show up to the Upper North gym, dressed in dance/ workout clothes before the tardy bell. We will talk for the first bit, but will get to technique and conditioning as well. If you aren't already signed up for the class, come anyway. I will send a list of your names to Mr. Gardener to get your schedules changed, or just see a counselor on your own.
Thanks, and we will see you tomorrow.
Nicole and Megan
I'm excited to be coaching Hillcrest's "Knightline" this year, along with Megan Gutke from Dance Tech. It should be a fun endeavor, but is slow going because the program is way behind and we have NO DANCERS! So, if you know dancers at Hillcrest, spread the word that they have a new coach who is excited to run a really fun program and I NEED THEM!
Sad thing for me though, NO MORE STROLLER CLASS. I will miss my stroller class friends, but will be working two mornings out of the week, and Payton is taking a wednesday morning dance class. Hopefully though, all my dance activity will keep me in shape and I won't be lacking too much without the stroller bootcamp. But Andrea and Lynsi, I miss you already!
Wish me luck!
I am so excited for another year with Dance Tech! For those of you who don't know, this is my 5th year there and I am so impressed with it! The love and integrity of both owners and staff is awesome! We truly care about our students and hope to help them grow to LOVE the arts.
Dance Tech's new studio is being built NOW and will open September 8th and is going to be Eastern Idaho's nicest facility! To register online or to find out more about our classes click here. To follow up on updates, pictures, open house schedules, registration, ribbon cuttings and more, go to Dance Tech's blog by clicking here. And finally, to appeal to the teen social scene, check us out on Myspace by clicking here. Spread the word to anyone interested or call me with any questions!
I'm convinced that I have been blessed with the cutest boys! Of course, I'm sure you are all convinced that your boy(s) is/are the cutest as well! Thats good! I look at these sweet pictures and can't believe how blessed I am.
Payton took to rolling down the big hills outside our condo. It was a blast, until he had an allergic reaction later and was covered in rashes. Poor guy.
My boys on top of Mt. Baldy. Kade was getting sick of me taking so many pictures, but what is life if we don't document and remember all the fun things we do?
Every summer the Bowen's go to Sun Valley for my dad's work convention. Kade and I took Payton. Kirii and Doug came with Mason, and also my parent's, my brother Seth, and his girlfriend Kelli. Above: Kirii, Grandma Bowen, Mason and Payton swimming at the Olympic pool.
Kirii and Mason soaking up the sun.
Payton, Kade and I in front of the chair lift at Mt. Baldy. We took a ride all the way to the top, takes about a half an hour, and its gorgeous!
Here is the view from our chair lift as we are going down the mountain. At the top, there was a lookout over the valley as well as a restaraunt.
Vicki and I at Upper Valley Civic Ballet's performance of "Thunder Dreamer" where we are, in essence, spider monkey- swamp things doing a rain dance. Cool dance!!!!
I know.... we look kinda scary!
The Trane family with Payton in the back! Joel rebuilt this old jeep for hunting/ fishing/ sand dunes and took his family for a ride. Payton loves it and also loves hanging out with his cousins!
I am a current member of the Upper Valley Civic Ballet Company in Rexburg and our Summer show is this coming weekend, August 8th and 9th. The main ballet put on is "Rodeo," and fun Americana Ballet piece, with two special contemporary performances. You will see me in "Thunder Dreamer." Be prepared because it is unique, but very worth watching! I know I have some friends who have been asking for details, so here are the specs:
Madison High School in Rexburg, there is a Friday 8th, and Saturday 9th performance. Both are at 7pm. You just need to arrive to purchase a ticket at 6:30. Come and support us if you can. This is our first year and we are a non-profit company that gives so many dancers the great opportunity to perform in a professional company environment.
I am excited that as of this month, I am a Co-Artistic Director with two other very talented women. The company will no longer be just a ballet company, but will be called Upper Valley Dance Theater and will showcase ballet, jazz/lyrical, and modern. Spread the word about it to any advanced dancers you know.
I am also excited to promote Dance Tech's new studio to open this fall. Classes begin September 8th, and the new studio is located off of Hitt/Lincoln directly behind Majestic Autobody. I have the priviledge of being Dance Tech's Artistic Director as of August as well, and know we will see continual growth in this fabulous studio that we all love!
Come join us! Link to Dance Tech's website or blog for more information.
