Sunday, November 27, 2011

Quick Trip To Rexburg


We made a quick trip to Rexburg, Idaho this past weekend. I've needed a root canal for quite a while. I have a tooth that died as a result from my boating accident 11 years ago. My nephew Randy Jones is a dentist. He was visiting family from Colorado and offered to help me while he was in town.

Randy with his wife Lisa and daughter Reagan

Friday night we stayed in the Quality Inn. After the car ride and a swim in the pool, all of us were worn out.


Saturday morning I had the root canal done. My sister in law Karie got permission from her boss to use his office.

The kids played with toys and watched a movie.

Aaron and Karie assisted Randy. We began around 8:00 and finished at 9:30. I couldn't believe how quick the procedure was. Thank you so much Karie and Randy. I really appreciate everything!
We had a nice drive home.

We stopped in Black Rock. Aaron showed the kids where he grew up. Here is some of the property Aaron's family owned.

Here is Aaron's old house! It's been updated since he lived there. He told us that there use to be some large pillars in the front of the house. Not far from the house there is a river where he use to fish. Just south of his house there is a large mountain where he use to go hike. It was fun learning about Aaron's childhood.

Thanksgiving Day


Thanksgiving was amazing this year! We celebrated it at my parents home. All of my siblings were there as well as their spouses and children. Michael even had one of his room mates over. The food was so so good! We had so much, we couldn't fit it all on the table.

Ashley and Dave set the tables up so cute. Everyone had their own little name tag with their plate. They also did the little cornucopias filled with candy.

After dinner we celebrated Sasha's birthday. Sasha is 2 years old! -Where does the time go?

I think Sasha's favorite gift was a little doll Mike gave to her. The doll came with a binkie and a bottle. She absolutely loved it.

Thursday, November 24, 2011

I'm So Thankful...

We got the results back from the amniocentesis on Tuesday. Our little baby boy is positive for the N.A.I.T. so I will begin the same treatment that I had with Alyssa in a couple of weeks. Although it's not the results we wanted to hear, my family and I are thankful. We're so lucky that we live in a time when doctors know how to treat this condition. My husband and I are positive. We both feel like everything is going to work out. I just wanted to thank everyone for your prayers. I hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Sleepy Bug




Andrew's New Goggles and Glasses


Well, here are the goggles and glasses Andrew chose. We picked up his goggles last Friday. His glasses weren't finished until today. Andrew loves both of them! He can't believe how much better he can see!

What a good looking dude. Love you bud!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Cabela's Field Trip


Bree's preschool class went on a field trip to Cabela's yesterday. I checked out Abby a little early from Kindergarten so she could go with Bree, Alyssa, and me. We had a great tour guide. I believe his name was Mr. Bean. He tought us all sorts of things (ie. Different sounds animals make, how taxidermy is done, The difference between moose, elk, and deer, etc.)

We saw a lot of things and had a really good time! Thanks Miss Denice!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

16 1/2 weeks


I had an amniocentesis done yesterday. They are doing an antigen test with my amniotic fluid to see if our baby will be affected by N.A.I.T. We should get the results within 1-2 weeks. Please say a prayer for our baby if you can.
Before the amnio, I had another ultra sound. I got some cool pics.
Below are some profile pictures. I wish I could make them bigger, but I haven't quite figured out how to use the scanner on our printer.
I love his cute little nose and mouth. You can also see his little fingers sitting on his chest.

This is the only picture we could get of his face. He was moving all over the place, but we just couldn't get him to turn in our direction.
The picture below shows you what sex he is (BOY). He's going to even out the numbers at our house. 3 boys and 3 girls! Holy Moly.


I love the last picture. He's waving to everyone. -See you in about 20-23 weeks!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Guess Who Needs Glasses???


Guess who needs glasses? -That would be my Andrew. Last week we received a letter from the school nurse informing us that Andrew had failed his vision evaluation. We took him to the optometrist yesterday and he has myopia or nearsightedness. Andrew's a little bummed that he has to have glasses. He's already talking about getting contacts.

One positive outcome. -He scored these awesome lime green sunglasses for free after they dilated his pupils. Awe yah!

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Brennan's Blessing


My niece's son, Brennan was blessed a week ago. Bryan gave him a beautiful blessing.What a cute baby!

After the blessing, Katie and Bryan invited family and friends over for dinner. They had a ton of food (Pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, jello salad, green salad, fruit, chips, etc).

They also had a lot of yummy treats (Peach cobbler, peanut butter bars, eclairs, sugar cookies, etc.).
It was a nice afternoon. -Glad that we could share their special day.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Sticker Baby


Everyone meet Bree's sticker baby.
I don't know where the stickers came from.
I don't know when she put them on.
Frankly, I don't care to take them off.A sticker baby she is!

Amazing Fireside


Wednesday evening, my mother in law and I went to an amazing fireside. Victor and Verna Nugent spoke. They shared their conversion story with us. They also talked about some of the blessings they've had since they were introduced to the church. It was so good!

Here is his story:


I was brought up in a family of Jehovah's Witnesses, consisting of my father and mother and eight brothers and sisters. At an early age I learned to read the Bible, attended meetings three times a week, and learned to use scriptural quotations to "prove" doctrinal points. Soon I was actively propagating the doctrine from door to door, first with my parents or other members of the congregation, later on my own. During this period I was baptized.


During my high school years I first began to entertain misgivings about the truth of the doctrine I had been taught. I was not entirely satisfied with the explanation that some parts of the Bible were not to be taken literally but had a "spiritual" interpretation. Who had the authority to "interpret"?


My faith weakened progressively during my high school years. By the time I entered university I had stopped attending meetings. I elected to read natural sciences, majoring in zoology and chemistry. Soon I had embraced the tenets of evolution and rejected the teachings of the Bible. By graduation time I had acquired a considerable number of personal bad habits and was an avowed agnostic.


Soon after graduation I married Verna, a high school classmate. Over the next seven years she did a wonderful job of making a home for me and our two children, while I frittered away my time, energy, talents and substance in the pursuit of sensual pleasure.


On the way home one morning, while suffering from the effects of a particularly vicious hangover, I finally saw myself as I was. I was so disgusted at what I saw that I prayed for the first time in about eleven years: "Oh God, if there is a God," I said, please have mercy on me. Please help me!"


I immediately felt better after I had said these words and my life began to change from that point on. This was sometime in 1970. I stopped going out and leaving my wife and children alone at home. I had been in the habit of drinking about a pint of alcohol every day for about seven years and stopped drinking in 1971. I had been a chain smoker but stopped smoking in April 1972.


At this time I was particularly concerned about my children, for I had noticed that many of my vices had rubbed off on them and it seemed to me that I was beginning to bring up a pair of monsters. I gradually gave up all my vices and started reading some books on psychology, philosophy, and metaphysics. I was searching for a way - for the truth.


During my search for the truth I noticed that many authors quoted freely from the Bible while others plagiarized it shamelessly. The question came to me: "What if the Bible is true in all respects?" I was overcome by an overwhelming compulsion to read the Bible, but the feeling came to me that I should read it with belief in my heart. I was either going to accept it all or reject it all. I started at Genesis, but this time I was not just reading words, I was visualizing events. What an impact it had on me! . . .


Bible-reading enthusiasm had caused me to spend part of my lunchtime each day reading the Bible in my office. One day Paul Schmeil entered and noticed what I was reading. He wanted to know which church I was attending. When I told him none, he said he was a Mormon and would like to tell me about his religion. He asked if he could visit me at home to tell my family and me about it.


I had previously declined such invitations from friends of other faiths, but there was something different about Paul. He was living the principles of the gospel, as I understood them. I felt that he could tell me something, so I accepted his invitation. Paul came to our home one evening and showed us two filmstrips, one entitled "Man's Search for Happiness" and the other "Meet the Mormons." He instructed us from his manual and left us some pamphlets to read. At the close of the session he showed us how to pray and invited us to kneel in prayer.


I shall never forget that evening. It was as if a messenger from God had come to visit. The message he brought was exactly what I had been looking for. I eagerly read the pamphlets and went out in my back yard to meditate and reflect on what had been said.


Everything fit perfectly. There was only one "fly in the ointment." That first night Paul told me about the position of the Negro in the Mormon Church. My ego was hurt, but I had a strong feeling that the message was the truth, and more was involved than pride and vanity. I sought the Lord in prayer and the answer came back loud and clear. It was the truth! I had received a testimony of the truth through the Spirit. Reasoning from this revealed truth I came to more fully understand the Church's position regarding the Negro and the priesthood. . . .


Paul continued to explain the principles of the gospel to us. The more I heard, the more my joy increased that I had at last found what I was seeking. We attended family home evening at his home. We read the Book of Mormon, we prayed about it, we were convinced of its truthfulness, and our convictions grew stronger.


As a family we started to attend Sunday School and sacrament meeting. Associating with other Mormons showed us that the peace and harmony evident in the Schmeil family was not a fluke - living the gospel is a way of life among Mormons.


My wife, my eldest son and I were baptized on January 20, 1974. I will be eternally grateful to our Father in heaven for sending me the help I needed in answer to my plea.


Tremendous blessings have attended my family as a result of our efforts to live the gospel as worthy members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Best of all is the growth and development of our children, and a new cohesion in our family life.


I solemnly bear witness that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live, that God hears and answers our prayers, that he has restored the everlasting gospel in its true form on earth today through the Prophet Joseph Smith, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is his church - the true church. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.



Wednesday, November 9, 2011

2011 School Pictures


We finally got back school pictures! I'm so happy with the way they turned out. The only thing I regret is that I didn't have Bree or Alyssa's picture taken.
-Enjoy!

Monday, November 7, 2011

Children - Neil L. Anderson - October 2011 General Conference

I've had a lot of mixed reactions from family and friends when they found out Aaron and I were expecting our 6th child. I new it wouldn't be easy telling people, and so I think that is part of the reason why I kept it a secret for so long. Please know that Aaron and I are aware of the health risks this baby might have. We are also aware of our financial responsibility. Both Aaron and I have prayed about this. We both feel strongly that everything will work out. We are doing everything we can to make sure this baby gets the care it needs. We are so excited for this baby to come to our home and we just want all of you to be excited for us.


This talk really stood out to Aaron and I this past conference. If you have a moment, please watch it.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Halloween 2011


Halloween was great this year. Grandma, Grandpa, Bree, Alyssa and I went to the parade at Shelley Elementary. All of the kids looked so cute in their costumes.
Abby (BYU Cheerleader)

Andrew (Pac-Man)

Later in the evening, the Jacobsons brought us some yummy taco soup. We gobbled it up, then hit the streets for some trick-or-treating.



The kids got so much candy! -Especially little Alyssa. Everyone thought she was so cute that they let her take a handful at almost every house.We didn't get around to decorating our pumpkins this year. The nurses that I work with at Project Reality decorated this pumpkin.

Lady Gaga. He he he. I love it.