Mischief Managed

Hi, my name is Lindsay and I'm a Harry Potter nerd! And, I love it! It all started with my brother being obsessed with the books. That trickled over to my mom and by the first movie I was hooked. Our entire family, with the exception of my Dad, are quite the Harry Potter fanatics! I even sucked Trent into the group but he won't read the books. "Why read the books when I can just watch the movies?"
When the release date for the final movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2, came out I knew we need to end it with a bang! These stories have been a huge part of my life and will be in my children's lives as well. I invited my family, the Hunsakers, and a few of my brothers invited friends. It was a BLAST! I enjoyed every minute of planning the party and the company was delightful. My brothers came earlier in the day to help make signs and make yummy food. I think everyone had a great time!

All but I think one of these wands was made by my brother Tyler and my mom.
Awesome signs my brothers made. There were two more but I forgot to get pictures.

We had Treacle Tarts (Harry's favorite) cake pops, caramel corn & movie theater pop corn Of course we needed some Butter Beer
As evidence by these pictures my boys loved the Butter Beer!

Definitely NOT my best work but I made a couple Gryffindor aprons for my mom and I. I made them that day so I was a little rushed. I really wish I would have spent more time on them!

Seligman

This past year Trent's parents shocked us all with the news that they were moving to a little (really little) town called Seligman here in northern AZ. It reminds me a lot of the little town in Cars. In fact it's off the I-40 which was the original Rt 66. They own property up there and decided to leave their home of over 30 years and live the good life! Their house is so cute and their property is beautiful! When the words to the song "Home on the Range" come to mind I always pictured something like where they live. It's going to be the funnest place for the grandkids to grow up. There's space as far as they eye can see and the adventures are just around the corner for my kids. We had an opportunity to see it for ourselves for the first time back in November. Luke was in heaven! He'd wake up each morning and ask to go outside to play. He'd get out there and look out from the porch for a minute and then say "run, run, run!" and take off! I can't wait for all the great memories to be made at Gramma Jo and Papa Dale's house! The visit was so nice ans we all loved the quality time spent together. We've missed having them 25 minutes away but we've had so many great visits with them since they've moved! So much to explore!

Levi staying snugly warm with Gramma

For Christmas this year, Trent built his dad a potato gun. Papa's dog, Quigly, loves for you to throw his toy. Now with all that space and a potato gun, Papa Dale can really throw it far!

Love that cute little face!!!

The real reason we went there when we did was for our annual Christmas tree cutting. We usually would meet up at Trent's parents house here in Chandler the morning of. Now we have a new tradition of driving out the day before and staying an extra night. That way we don't have to wake up at the crack of dawn AND we get to have extra time with family! I'm all for it :)

Levi missed most of the fun!

The winner!
Gotta love fun family traditions!

*Since this is our family journal I decided to write about this experience.

Sometimes life is such a roller coaster ride. That is the best way I can describe what we've been through the last couple months. I was so hoping to post an announcement on our blog that we would be having baby number three this summer! We were happily surprised to find out that we were expecting again the week before Thanksgiving. I took a pregnancy test and we went to the Dr and sure enough there was a baby coming! Considering how unplanned it was I was surprised and happy at how thrilled I was for another baby. Three little ones under three seemed so overwhelming! We hadn't planned to get pregnant as soon as we did (we wanted to wait a couple years), but I knew it was what the Lord wanted for us as soon as we learned the news. I was at peace and excited. I thought I was experiencing morning sickness symptoms and since I knew I would need help with the boys and since we had already had two very healthy pregnancies we figured we'd let the cat out of the bag and make the announcement to family and friends Thanksgiving Day. (Soon after we made the announcement I realized I was just plain old sick and that it wasn't morning sickness! Oops! Live and learn I guess)
Christmas Eve, I began to show signs that something might be wrong. I shared my concerns with Trent but we kept our worries under wraps till the Christmas weekend was over. I went to the Dr Tuesday afternoon where our concerns were confirmed and we learned that we had in fact lost the baby.
It's been a long road and although I am at peace with all that has happened (excepting whole heartily this baby that we were going to be blessed with only to loose it a few weeks later) I have had a lot of thoughts and emotions through this loss. I sometimes feel silly for feeling the way I do. Compared to what others have lost, this probably seems like nothing. I have come to terms with the loss and have "moved on" I guess. Each day is different and I know I'll never be the same (in a good way). I still know that this is what my Heavenly Father wanted for us. I know it. It hasn't been all bad. We've had some sweet experiences. Trent and I have been brought even closer together through this and we've been encircled in the love of my family and close friends. I don't want to speak for Trent and what he's felt about all of this but I do know that I've been his number one concern and he's been a rock for me to lean on.
I've never known a loss like this. To have something for such a short time only to loose it shouldn't be so devastating. I know we will have more children. And I know that life will still throw us trials, but I'm thankful to know that I can make it through with the love of my Heavenly Father and the people he's blessed my life with. I'm thankful for Eternal Families. I love my two little boys with ALL of my heart. I've never experienced a love like the love I feel for them. They've made this experience sweet in their own special way. Our family has been brought closer together and we appreciate more than ever before what we have and for that alone I am grateful for this experience. Thank you to everyone who have shared their love and concern for us! Life is moving forward. And even though we don't know what is in store for us, we are excited for what the future will bring.