Over at the Hale house...

We are getting hit pretty hard with the sickness. Just days after recovering from a fever Winston & I are both battling sore throats, coughing, stuffy noses, and achy bodies. 

Of course this would happen just days before our trip to Utah. 

Instead of finishing the laundry, packing and cleaning up the house like I had planned today, our day is filled with blankets, movies, naps, popsicles, and snuggling.

I really want to rest and kick this thing so we can go on our trip healthy... I don't know if I can handle a sick 17 month old on a plane. Heaven help us!

Buckle up for safety!

Ok this post is not really about buckling, but it is about safety!
I am not even a little bit qualified to speak about women's safety, however, I do claim to know a few tips.
My father has worked in a prison a majority of my life. Since he has worked in a prison and been around men who... get around, he knows a few of their tricks and what they are looking for to get what they want. My dad heres a lot of disturbing things from inmates first hand about what they looked for before they got to prison.
I have grown up with my dad giving me warnings about certain things and I am grateful for it. Now I think it is time that I share the wealth.
Today I will share 4 safety tips. I know that I am kind of making light of it but this is so serious. If some women would have known some of these tips, their virtue and/ or life could have been spared.

1.  See these?

Girly bumper stickers. Let's imagine for a second that there is a sexual predator... He is in a grocery store parking lot and looking for a girl. He scans the parking lot and sees a car that screams, " I have girl parts!!" Knowing this will be an easy target, he goes and gets under the car, waits for her to come out and... Yes. This has actually happened.
I was always taught to NEVER put anything on my car that indicates that I am a girl.
Also, when getting into your car, always have your keys ready to go. Even before you even get in the car.

2. Along the same lines... See these?

 These make me so mad. And with the names? Why?
What kind of message are you sending to a sexual predator? I'll tell you.
"Hey guy (or women I suppose), I have four children! 3 girls, 1 boy. Their names are... Come follow me home so you can kidnap my children!"
You are basically giving any predator all the info they need. Let's leave the kids off the back of the car.

3. Don't be stupid. Never go running at night by yourself. You know why.

4. Don't go running with head phones on full blast.

If someone happened to sneak up behind you how could you even have a chance to get away if you can't hear them? You just made yourself 1000 times more vulnerable.

My intent of writing this post was not only to scare you (did it?) but to give you a leg up. It's so important that we know how to protect ourselves, even a little bit. I am sorry if this came off as harsh. I am guess I am just a little passionate about my safety and the safety of others.

Mini Steven

Poor Winston is sick with a fever for the first time in his young 17 month old life. Last night, for the first time since he was brand new, he "slept" with us in our bed. He was sooo snuggly and as much as I loved his warm little tired buddy on my chest I did not get a wink of sleep. He was so uncomfortable that he would move and squirm every couple seconds. Steven woke up in the morning, well rested, and said, "I am impressed with how well he slept last night!"... Oh Steven. Such a sound sleeper. 

Speaking of Steven- did you know that I married him and then made a mini-him?

Observe............................. 

These pictures kill me!

Two peas in a pod, these two. 

Mother's Day Recap

Mother's Day was ridiculous. RIDICULOUS! It was like a day from a fairy tale. I got sooo spoiled by my boys... Way too much.

I am not complaining though. It was the most amazing day. 

I woke up to some fantastic gifts. And fantastic is an understatement. 

Don't be confused by the double stroller. I AM NOT PREGNANT. The stroller was so expensive and will last us pretty much forever so we are just being overly prepared because, believe it or not (mom) we will be having more children someday.

So, I got flowers, the bob (jogging stroller), and a BBQ smoker. I asked Steven for some smoked pulled pork so obviously we had to get a smoker to go with our grill. 

Aaand don't forget my cute gift from my mother-in-law. I did not get a picture of my gift from my mom but she got me a yummy candle from bath and body works. 

oh and I made Steven come outside to take pictures of us and the new stroller. I had to test it out before getting ready for church. 

Speaking of church AMAZING! In most wards they have the moms stand up at the end of sacrament and usually the youth hands out a candy car or flower. Not in this ward. 

During relief society all of the women 18+ came to the relief society room. All of them. Even those in primary, young women, nursery... we were all there together. We sat and talked while the bishopric came around and passed out bite sized cheese cakes, fruit and water. It was amazing. 

Of course we headed to my grandparents house for dinner like we do for almost every holiday. Mother's Day is extra special. All the women (18+, mother or not) pick our meal and sit in the dining room by ourselves while the men sit in the other room, watch the children, and serve us. It is so fun to just sit and talk without having to worry about what Winston in climbing on...

We ended the night with a skype session with Elder Tipton in Hiroshima, Japan. This was our first time skyping with Cole since he left almost a year and half ago. Also the first time that he has seen Winston since he was a month old. He has changed a little bit. My immediate family and grandparents were able to be there.

 Winston is at this phase where he is obsessed with his buddha belly. He also LOVES to point out where his belly button is. I love it with all my heart.

 Of course taking pictures with my boy on Mother's Day while someone else talked to Cole.

Honestly one of the best days ever. I am so thankful for a husband that spoils me way more than I deserve and for a missionary brother who sets such a great example.
Whew! I'm out.

A little thank you...

{Picture taken in Florida, 2010}

Did you see this post? I happen to think that my husband is the sweetest man. Yep, I did pretty good for myself.
Thank you, Steven. I love you core to core.

Gilbert Temple!

For those of you who do not know, Arizona has been a pretty popular place for building temples the last few years. We started with the Mesa temple (which my ancestors helped build) way back in the day, then when I was about 13 the Snow Flake temple was built. About 2 years ago the Gila Valley temple was built and now we are waiting on the Gilbert and Phoenix temple to be finished... Whew.
Today Winston and I took a trip down to Gilbert (about 20 minutes away from our house with no traffic) to see the Angel Moroni in his new and final spot, right on top of the temple. We just missed seeing it placed on top but I am still glad that we were able to see it on the day it was set there.

I know that Winston won't remember this day but I felt that it was so important that he was there. I want him to know that he was there to see a part of history.

The Mother of my son - my thoughts for my son's most important mother.

After many failed attempts to guess Emily's password, I eventually had to break down and ask what it was so that I could come on and make this post.  I am a momma's boy as anybody would tell you.  Growing up I was blessed to have one mom and 4 sisters who I looked up to as role models on how a wife and mother should be.  Never in a million years did I think my future wife would meet and exceed all of those expectations.  Here is a behind-the-scenes look at what makes my wife an amazing mother.


Patient - "A mother's love is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, it never fails or falters, even though the heart is breaking" - Helen Rice


Through the toughest of times, Emily has always been patient with our son (and more often, me).  When I get frustrated or don't understand, she has always been long-suffering and patient towards Winston.  I can only hope that this type of patience will rub off on the men in her life!


Kind - "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless" - Mother Theresa


If you have met Emily, then you know she is one of the kindest people on the planet and that doesn't stop but is fortified within the walls of our home.  She gently persuades Winston to be obedient, to fold his arms while praying, and to get him to throw his own diaper away!  I pray that he will grow up to be as kind as his mother.


Humorous - "The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache." - Marjorie Hinckley


I only know of one person who could receive a special "present" from their son and in the very moment react, not with anger, but with laughter (see this blog post to check that one out).  Emily has a great sense of humor and I have never seen two people laugh at each other more than her and Winston do on a daily basis.


Loving - "Mothers are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth" - Marjorie Hinckley


I can think of no other description that best suits my wife in her role as a mother quite like the word, "loving."  It was one of the things that attracted me to her when dating and will continue to be the attribute that I admire the most.  I have never met someone with such a high capacity to love anyone she comes in contact with.  I don't understand how one woman has so much love to give when so much love is required from such a little boy.  She loves him dearly and would do anything to ensure his safety and success in life.  I hope one day I get a glimpse of the love she has for our son.

I couldn't be more grateful for the mother of my son/smoking hot wife. What a great blessing she has been in both of our lives.  Happy Mother's day Emily - 


Your husband and best friend, Steven.