The Murray's: 01.2013

...And a Happy New Year!

January 6, 2013 marks the 5th anniversary of the day I met Stephen Wayne Murray. I had decided to start attending the singles student ward since I was going to start classes at BSU, it was my first Sunday. I went with one of my best friends Lauren Browne (now Mair) and the only person I recognized was one of my sisters best friends Sierra Kinney (now Davis). We sat by Sierra with no worries, Sierra knew everyone. I met so many people! It felt like a fresh start and I welcomed it as well as all the new faces with wide open arms! We were in Relief Society, and all the sudden to my surprise there he was. With a LOT of confidence he strolled to the front of the class and the President allowed him to make his announcement. He was having a movie night at his house in Star and called it “the star trek” since it was easily a 30 minute drive out there. Sierra said we should go and I agreed. When we got to his house there were a lot of the same faces from church but still new ones! I got the opportunity to get to know the new faces I met that day. Nate Thueson was one of those faces and also Stephens room mate. He decided to give me the grand tour. We made our way around the rooms and then headed up stairs and there he was again, at the top of the stairs lighting a candle. He greeted us with and when he turned to look at us he burned his hand on the lighter. Without thinking or having control of my actions I grabbed his hand and kissed the burn. I think I stunned all three of us. Then Nate took my arm and continued my tour. It was hilarious with the perfect amount and awkwardness; I still didn’t even know his name. We came back down stairs and later Nate introduced him as Mr. November. He was in a calendar for the Fire Department and was pretty proud of it. He continued to show me said calendar. I thought he was full of himself. Ha! Anyway the night went on, Nate asked me out and we ended up going on a few dates which complicated things with his best friend, Mr. November. But we continued as friends through 2008 and in September, when I gather the proper amount of time had passed, he finally FINALLY asked me out. I’m forever grateful for those 9 months of friendship. I grew up a lot, mainly because I was 18-19 years old. I got to know him in a non threatening way so when we started dating the transition was seamless. Though in the beginning I did not want to get married not just not to him but not at all! Obviously he won me over and changed my heart. Another thing I am forever grateful for. I always enjoy the beginning of the year even though I have never been into the whole resolution thing. I like to start new goals all year round, not just at the start. But this year my resolution is simple: Be the best I can be. For Stephen, for Charlee and Bear and for myself. 2012 was verrry good to me. Full of transitions and fresh starts. Right now its hard to picture the end of 2013 or where we will be, right now I look forward to everyday and surviving the chaos that I know is only going to increase! But I welcome the journey! And know there will be plenty of joy in it. Happy new year to you and yours.

Murray Christmas

This year the Murray family decided we were having a white Christmas! Stephen and I got extra brave and decided to make the trip up to New Meadows (30 min past McCall) to the family Ranch. The roads were terrible, so by the time we made it to McCall the kids were starving. So we stopped at the moxie java to get some warm water to heat up bottles and feed them before continuing to the ranch. Well, they were closing in 5 minutes so we told the ladies we would just take it to go so we could feed them in the car. It was a mother and daughter working, the daughter had just driven down from Moscow to be with her family for Christmas and they were so sweet. They insisted we stay as long as we’d like. We felt bad for the inconvenience so I told Stephen to go buy us hot Chocolate and tip them well. Well they wouldn’t take any of our money, gave us free hot chocolate asked if we needed anything else and said they were blessed that we came in that night. We got the babies out of their seats to show them and they Just started hugging each other and crying and couldn’t believe how small and cute they were! It was the sweetest thing! They kept coming over to check on us and look at them. It was so sweet. They thanked us and we thanked them and wished them a very merry Christmas and were back on our way. It is a very sweet memory. It was wonderful to be so secluded with the family, I feel most times when they come to visit we don’t get very quality time since we are always coming and going. We had great chats, long naps, watch kids play in the snow with their amazing uncles making snow forts and sledding behind the 4 wheeler, watched movies, decorated sugar cookies and other goodies, loved on babies, prepared and devoured way too much food and made great memories. And even managed to get some sleep with 5 babies in the house. We are such a blessed family. Christmas eve we had a wonderful family home evening lesson on the birth of Christ and letting him into our lives, my father in law CRIED reading a very sweet story (I have never seen that before) and we sang lots of Christmas songs at the request of my sister in law Sherry! On the closing song, away in a manger, we got to the last verse saying “bless all the dear children in thy tender care” and I happened to be looking at Charlee and all of the sudden the words were taken from my mouth and replaced with uncontrollable sobs. My thoughts immediately went to the children lost this year in the shooting in Connecticut. I could not stop crying it was just too sad to think of their families on Christmas, not getting to watch them open presents or sing carols or decorate cookies for Santa. But how great to know they are in Gods tender care. I look forward to Christmas next year when we can really start making our own traditions with our own kids. Even though they will still be so little and not know what’s going on, at least they won’t sleep through it:) I hope everyone had an amazing Christmas!

Perfect Love

My babies are 8 weeks old tomorrow! I have been amazed with how much energy I have again. Even totally sleep deprived I feel ten times better than I did while I was pregnant. I didn’t realize how much energy they drained from me till they came out. Plus it is so much more fun cuddling and kissing them instead of them kicking my ribs and my bladder. Another plus, I am so grateful for all the help we have had from very loving parents and sweet friends. These babies are so loved. I cant believe how quick the time goes by. I have never felt so grown up with my Husband, House, Kids, SUV…. The days of “when I grow up” are somewhat here and I’m pretty proud of where I ended up. People try to tell you “it will be different when its your own kids” and that couldn’t be more true. I thought kids were great, loved my nieces and nephews but MY OH MY do I love my kids. They are my whole life. I get so excited seeing them grow! They have graduated from newborn diapers to size 1 and their clothes are getting tighter and tighter. Baby Bear outweighs his sister by almost a pound now so he is definitely out of newborn clothes, but its ok I will take his round belly and cheeks any day. He eats 1-2oz more than her sometimes when I give them bottles. AND they went 6 hours between feedings the other night! Praise Heaven I cant wait till that is consistent! They are starting to make silly faces and go cross eyed and flash big cheesy smiles. Wake time is hilarious, unless it’s the hours between 8 and 10 then its fussy time. And right now they are trying to fight off little colds but they are eating and sleeping well still so I’m sure they will be over it in no time. Last week I got brave and went to hobby lobby, they did good! I love my double stroller that has clip ins for their carseats. Although I could barely make it through the door without being stopped 7 times. Bear and Charlee…you are LOVED! My favorite thing to do when I’m up with them at night is look at all their pictures and see how much they’ve changed. I’m surprised they still look so much alike. But I’m not surprised how adorable they still are:) I love parading them around, I’m so proud of them. I’m so lucky to be their Mommy. And now for a whole bunch of pictures!! A little Gem forgotten on the D day post...meeting my son