My Testimony

This year has gone by so fast!!! So much has happened, and I've been horrible about documenting it. I hope to bring you all up to speed with my next blog post.

As the Christmas season passes, I can't help but think of Jesus Christ, and how much he has done for me. How grateful I am to him and his sacrifice for me so I can return to live with God again.

This year I was given a new church calling to serve the members of my ward (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints). I have the opportunity to teach new members of our church, and those who are learning more about us...the basic gospel principles of the church. It has been a wonderful calling and I have learned so much. A few weeks ago, we discussed the life of Christ; as I was preparing for my lesson, my thoughts went back to my testimony of the Savior and how it all began.

As I child I had always believed in God, but it wasn't until I was 13 years old that my testimony of Christ really took flight. I attribute that to my church leader Carol Clubb.
When she taught us young crazy girls, she always taught with the love of the Savior and his spirit. One Sunday she gave a lesson on Christ and his life that I will never forget. The spirit of God was so strong that I couldn't deny that there was a God, and that he loved me. I don't remember all that was discussed that day, but I do remember how I felt,and the slide show of Christ's life that she had made for us. For the first time in my life, I began to understand what Christ had done for me, and the role that he played in my life. That lesson was the starting point for me to try and follow Christ and be more like him.

So as I thought about my lesson, I thought I would share with the class a similar slide show in hopes they would have the same desire to be more like Christ.
...Thanks Carol!

Connor and our Family

Connor turned 5 months yesterday, I can't believe how quickly time has passed. He is a happy baby boy and we love being with him! Dan says his default is a smile...we can't wipe the smile off his face, even when he's crying, that boy will crack a smile at us.

It's been awhile since I've updated my blog, so I thought I would post Connor's 1 month pictures and our family pictures. Emily Heizer our favorite photographer took these for us...you can check her out at...www.eheizerphotography.blogspot.com.

The Curse!

I still remember our 1997 blue SL2 Saturn sedan (May she rest in peace!). She was a beauty...We traveled far and wide with her, and she never let us down. She was a bit rusty, but we blame the winter salt for that, and she had an interesting smell of vinegar (which spilled in the trunk of the car on our honeymoon because Dan insisted that we get vinegar to put on our homemade sandwich..."just like subway, right") and vanilla air freshener (we tried to cover up the vinegar smell...it didn't work). However, the gas mileage was awesome and my husband took pride in keeping her nice and clean. Dan and I had many talks about our children driving her in their teen years. Until that tragic day in August 2007 when I got a phone call from Dan,..."Janay, someone hit me on the freeway, and I think the Saturn is TOTALED!" Our hopes and dreams of our car where shattered. It was a sad day, and to make matters worse, we had just finished paying off the car (The curse of getting your debts paid off).

Luckily, I was a used car sales-women and had sold myself a nice VW, Passat. So at least we still had that going for us.
After the Saturn was taken from us, we turned our hopes and dreams to our little Passat.
Much to our joy, we made our last payment on our Passat this past Friday, July 24, 2009. As I was driving to the bank to pay off our debt a large rock came flying at my windshield and busted the glass, so yes, we will be spending a couple hundred dollars to get that fixed. (The curse has hit yet again, but you got to laugh about it. At least if was just the windshield and not the whole car...cross your fingers).
It seems to me every time we get a little ahead in paying off our debts we are hit with something else, I think someone is trying to keep us humble, and believe it or not I'm happy to accept it.

I LOVE to see the Temple!

On June 18th, 2003 I returned home from serving a full time mission at Temple Square for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I can't believe this month marks the 6th year since returning home. I often look back to that short period of my life and think about all the people I met and taught; my AWESOME companions and friendships, and all the wonderful experiences I had (too many to count). That small period of 18 months was the greatest crash course in life lessons that I could have ever had. I owe so much to my mission and the blessings it has brought me...

First and foremost a greater testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ, the power and beauty of the Atonement, and the joy of the resurrection.

Second, employment as a teacher at the MTC... the place were I met my husband (no he wasn't a missionary, he was a teacher too). Which has also lead to 2 wonderful children.

Thirdly, a better understanding of the spirit, its ability to change lives and convert people to the gospel.

I've learned the importance of the Book of Mormon and its testimony of our Savior. One of my favorite passages of the Book of Mormon comes from the introduction of the book, it says...

"We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10: 3-5.)
Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah. "
This was one of my favorite passages to read, it brings such power and conviction to me of the truthfulness of the gospel. Not only does it extend an amazing invitation, but it gives the steps to gain a testimony, and then once gained, what kind of testimony you will have.

I've developed a greater love for Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, and the need to have living Prophets on the earth.

Because of my mission I've learned the need to develop Christ like attributes and become more like him.

I now see the importance of service, the Lord needs everyone to do his/her part, where one slacks it becomes harder for the Lords church to function, no matter what the calling or need may be.

I've seen the amazing love of the church demonstrated through humanitarian and welfare relief. A small portion of my mission was spent at Welfare Square...though I enjoyed the spirit of all the tours I gave, the one that I enjoyed the most was Welfare Square.

There is something special about welfare square. Anyone who takes a trip to Utah, needs to take a tour at Welfare Square and the Humanitarian center.

Finally my LOVE for the Temple has grown so much. It's so important to attend the temple regularly. To feel the peace that exists their and grow closer to our Heavenly Father.

...I LOVE to see the Temple!!!!

Mothers

We found what is quite possibly the greatest tribute to mothers the world has ever know on our friend Jill's blog. Enjoy.

California Bar Exam

I PASSED!!!!!!!!!

Welcome Connor Hunt!

Our little man arrived on his due date Monday, May 4, 2009!

He weighed 7lbs 13 oz and was 20.5 inches long.

He was born with a few little issues, but nothing that can't be fixed in the future.

He is perfect and we are so happy to have him. So far he is a great sleeper (Knock on wood) and Mackenzie can't get enough of him. She loves him a little too much, but I wouldn't have it any other way!
Connor 1 week old

They say that kids can regress a bit when a new sibling comes, but I never thought it would be regression back to her infant car seat!

Our First Family Photo (Connor 1 day old)

Connor just a few minutes old.

We were happy to finally have him, especially me. When Mackenzie was born there wasn't time to give me an epidural, so I thought I would try it again without an epidural. I did just fine without the epidural, but it was Dan that almost passed out from the experience. He didn't watch Mackenzie's entrance to the world, so I wanted him to see Connor make his debut. I guess it's a good thing he is a doctor of the Law, and NOT a doctor of medicine because the sight of everything made him light headed and he had to sit down so he didn't fall flat on his face. I guess we know who the tough one is.

Mackenzie holding HER baby for the first time!

Happy 2nd Birthday!!!

I can't believe my baby girl is 2 years old. Time has gone by so fast! This year I made a ladybug cake. I got the idea from my sister-in-law and from the "Family Fun" magazine. Not to mention that one of Kenzie's favorite books to read is the Ladybug counting book. The cake was super easy to make, much easier than the crazy candyland cake I made for her first birthday.

If you can't tell the nose and month are the #2.

Mackenzie was really excited when we sang Happy Birthday. She had been practicing for several weeks blowing out the candles (she blew out both candles with one breath). Dan's birthday was a few weeks prior to hers, and when we sang happy birthday to him, she stopped us and said..."no, happy day Kenzie" so we had to sing happy birthday to her instead of Dan.

In the Koutz family with as many kids and grandkids that we have, we find it easier to celebrate birthdays combined. February to April we have at least 12 birthdays to enjoy. So this is the family party to celebrate Dan and Mackenzie's birthday along with everyone else.

Below I made flower cupcakes for the family birthday party. Again another idea from the "Family Fun" mag. These were super easy too!

General Conference

This is Mackenzie's bucket of toys...

This is Mackenzie's bucket of toys when you fall asleep watching General Conference...
I thought Dan was just trying to be funny, by letting Mackenzie cover him with her favorite blanket and bucket of toys.

But I was wrong, he was totally asleep and when he woke up, he was shocked by the mess that had been created on his face.

"That's what you get for sleeping through Conference!!!"

Pregnancy Pictures

I blog these pictures not for my benefit, but for my out of town family who has been requesting
pictures of me since day one of my pregnancy.

So after 9 months of asking...here you go!

8 months (March)

9 months (early April)


9 months (Late April)

This pregnancy has been a bit different. I was just as sick with this one, but noticed I threw up more, and was able to eat more. All in all, I lost about 20 to 25 lbs those first few months. I started wearing my wedding ring on my middle finger.

Then I felt really good from December until mid March I gained my weight back and was able to wear my wedding ring on my ring finger. I dealt with lots of heart burn which I expected since I had major heart burn with Mackenzie.

From mid March until now I've had some heart burn, and some new things...lots and lots of pressure in my hip/pelvic bones. I feel like my bones are about to split in half, especially at night when I switch from side to side. All this pain makes me walk like an old grandma. The left lower portion of my back aches, and I have lots and lots of swelling. So much swelling that I can't wear my wedding ring anymore. We've had a few hot days in Sacramento, and the swelling is worse with the heat. I'm learning quickly that I don't want to be pregnant in the summer.

With all this, I can't wait to welcome our baby boy (his name TBA, Dan and I can't agree).

I LOVE MY WIFE!

I saw this video on my brother's blog and laughed and cried at the same time thinking of my wife's life, and yes I am that husband at the end of the song. I laugh because this is Janay's life with just one, and I have a goal of 5 or 6!

It's HAPPY HOUR, the Bar is OVER!

It's happy hour in the Hunt home! I couldn't be prouder of my husband. He has worked so hard for so long to achieve this moment. He pointed out to me that since college and even more so when we got married his days have consisted of 15 hour days with work and school.

2 1/2 months before the Bar exam Dan started preparing, in mid December he and his law school buddy Will would travel weekly from Sacramento to Lafayette to visit with a personal tutor. This continued until February. In January Dan reduced his work time to 6 hours a week, to put more focus on studying. His Barbri (classes designed to help pass the bar) class also started the same month, the classes were every evening from 6PM - 10PM, Saturdays from 9AM-1PM, and Sunday's were spent with his tutor. Dan would be out of the house each morning by 7:30 AM to hit the books each day. In February Dan stopped working altogether and put 100% of his time into study. A few weeks before the test Dan consistently came home between 1:30 AM every morning and then would start his day again at 7 AM. Just to save some extra time in the morning, Dan stopped shaving and grew a lovely beard. With Dan's church calling as high council, I don't think the stake presidency was too fond of his new look. I didn't mind it so much, but I found it gross to kiss. That it self was enough motivation to shave once the bar was completed. This is the first time since before his mission that he wasn't shaving daily, and he really liked it. He keeps threatening me that once he is released from his calling he will grow it back...We'll see about that!

Those of you who know Dan, know how social he is, however, this test put a lot of fear in him and being social was out of the question. So our apologies if you feel Dan has ignored you.

So with all the time, and thousands and thousands and thousands and thousands and did I mention thousands of dollars spent for this 3 day test, Dan has officially completed the Bar exam on Thursday, February 26, 2009. It was a 3 day test that began on Tuesday, each day consisting of 6 hours of testing.

Day #1 was 3 essays in the morning and 1 large essay in the afternoon.

Day #2 was 100 multiple choice questions in the morning and 100 in the afternoon.

Day#3 was again 3 essays in the morning and 1 large essay in the afternoon.

Dan felt pretty good on day 1 and 2, but day 3 left him feeling a bit uneasy.

Regardless, I know Dan has done everything in his power to pass this test. He shared with me that he has really felt close to the Savior and wouldn't trade this intense experience for anything.

May 15th at 6PM will be the day when we find out whether he passes or not. May 15th is a special day for Dan...

It was the day he returned home from his mission from the Philippines

It was the day he started working for his first and current law firm

And it was the day the Aaronic Priesthood was restored to the earth to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery.

We hope the good streak continues!!!

I love you Dan and I'm so proud of you!

And thanks to both of our families for all their help and support!

Boy, oh BOY!

In case you haven't heard, we are excepting a baby boy May 4th. We are excited for the addition to our family. Adding a second child to the family has made me a little nervous. I have lots of questions...

How do I balance time with each child?

Do I buy a double stroller and if so what brand?

Do I circumcise or listen to my doctor that says don't circumcise?

Why aren't boy clothes just a cute as girl clothes? Seriously, there is a lack of variety out there!

What do we name him? (Dan and I are having a hard time finding a name for this little guy.)

The questions are endless. But when all is said and done, we can't be HAPPIER about bring this baby into the world.

It's all about the BUSINESS in the front, PARTY in the back!

Professional moms, hairstylist, fashion divas and anyone else who cares to have an opinion...I need your HELP!!!!!! Remember back in the day when this hair style was cool? It was the days of Billy Ray and his famous "Achy, Breaky". To be honest his hair was the only thing that was achy to me. I was never a big fan of the mullet look, but yet endured the style patiently.


This is my cute little Kenzie girl dressed in her Halloween costume in October. As you can see her hair was non-existent which was great for me. But now that her hair is growing in, this is what I'm finding...

Business in the front!



Party in the back!

The dreaded baby MULLET!!!!

I'm sure we have all looked at past pictures of ourselves and have thought..."Why didn't anyone tell me I looked like that" or "What was my mom thinking...Why would she cut my hair like that!" Readers of our blog, NOW is your chance to save my cute, innocent girl from such comments as these!

Your advice would be greatly appreciated...Do I cut it or let it grow out?