The Lord is in Charge

This experience happened about a month ago and I still haven't written it down so here goes finally...

Baby C as you know or maybe you don't but you will...he has had a sensitivity, allergy, who knows what it is yet, but he struggles with dairy...so we try our best to keep that out. The kid eats and eats so fast you can't even sit down to eat before you are up again getting him food. He nursed literally every two hours on the dot, he still is hungry all the time it seems. Thankfully he has gotten somewhat better with the whole idea of chewing your food before swallowing.

So let's go back to Christmas time of 2015. The meal consisted of spinach, pears, pomogranates, and I can't remember the rest. He was loving, loving, loving the pears and pomogranates. I gave him probably two whole pears and thought he had chewed them up. Fast forward an hour or so to family home evening. What happens? Cayson, I want to say spit up but we will say threw up whole pears and pomogranates nothing digested because nothing had been chewed. Some family left being freaked out that he was sick, I would have done the SAME thing...He was fine after a bath and ten minutes...thankfully because I don't care what you say, but no one likes throw up. Little did I know that Miss A was grossed out and a few months down the road she became terribly afraid of it happening to her. This old little incident is called "C's thing" in our house. She would say as she was eating..."am I just afraid of C's thing"? We had watched a Studio C episode within those few months in which the green crayon talks about throwing up chunks of green, and then at church her friend told her a story about her throwing up...and so now you know where it all began.

Miss A is a perfectionist, she has some high anxiety, and for two weeks she was VERY OCD. I know I was like that but OCD in different ways. For two weeks she started to refuse to wear any clothes that were green or orange, if you were wearing those colors she wouldn't touch you. She then started to refuse to wear clothes at all, and it was a HUGE tantrum anytime you would mention it. Take Easter Sunday for example...we missed sacrament meeting because she was crying afraid to put clothes on...we finally settled on aqua pants and a pink Elsa and Anna shirt...hair not done, not even combed, but we went to primary. The rest of Easter Sunday turned out so much better! She became more terrified as each day went on. She washed her hands all day long after touching anything, she woke up in the middle of the night one night crying because she was afraid her hands were dirty and she washed her hands for well over thrity minutes not being able to pull herself away. She was miserable. She wouldn't touch anything, she wouldn't let me touch her or if I did she would wipe it on the carpet, if she touched something she would wipe on the carpet, her face, legs, hands, arms  you name it. She walked with her arms out, not touching her sides, fingers extended hands vertical. It made me so sad...it was literally taking over her little five year old life. I was a mess which didn't help. I had no clue what to do. I prayed and prayed asking for help and didn't seem to find anything. I was upset because I wanted her to be her normal happy five year old self again. I wanted to stop arguing over wearing clothes, washing hands, letting me hug her etc. Nothing came... I thought maybe she needs to go see someone and then other people had said that which made me feel really uncomfortable because I didn't think that was the right answer...

Well The second week, on a Thursday rolled around and I began to pray late one night, as I knelt down to say my prayer...it was about 10 or 10:30 and then my phone rang. It was my mom and dad. We talked about what was going on, how things were and I just broke down and sobbed. My mom basically said to me to quit being a baby, get yourself together, stop crying, you are the mom. At first I was upset with her for saying that to me...I thought well you are my mom aren't you supposed to comfort me? Can't I just cry, this is an experience that is hard...

After we all talked for a little longer and they said some other things we all hung up and then I started my prayer for the second time. I began by telling Him how upset I was and hurt by what she said, and kept talking just pouring out in prayer...as we kept talking my whole thoughts, and attitude began to change. My mind and heart were cleared...I realized my mom was totally right, she was being the mom that I needed! I would have understood that if I hadn't been in the oh I wish this would just go away attitude, I can't do this...blah blah blah. My mom saying that was my answer to the prayers that hadn't been answered yet. After my heart and changed the Lord was able to ease my burden because I was able to receive the revelation I needed to be able to help Miss A. I was humbled and had a better attitude not the sulking this is so hard for me..you know what I mean?

The next day we were in the Shopkin isle at Walmart. Miss A had clothes on, she had enough money, so we took her to buy the shopkin toy she had been saving for. Well she still was wiping off after touching things she thought was dirty...so she hadn't touched me or my clothes. Mr. D and baby C took off to look at something else so it was just the two of us there. She saw a pony toy she wanted also but only had enough money for one toy...the pony or the shopkin. I could see it in her face, her anxiety was beginning to rise, she got nervous and tense and began to cry. She was feeling stress over the toys too. I got down on my knees and looked at her, with a lot more patience and love then I had had the previous days, and I think I asked if she was okay or something like that. She looked at me and with tears in her eyes she said, "mommy I think I need a hug again". Words that filled my whole soul with joy! She hugged me and then she sat on my lap on the floor down the shopkin isle at walmart...people coming by I am sure thought she was crying because she couldn't have the toy she wanted, but in all actuality her healing and mine were starting to take place. We sat and cried and talked for a while about everything and I just hugged my sweet five year old.

Things started to get back to how they were after that and I was actually praying that we would have the nasty stomach bug come to our house thinking maybe it would help things get better quicker because she would realize that it is okay. But the Lord has a time frame and I honestly believe that it is way better than ours...

Two weeks ago after not praying for it...it hit us here and she was a champ. She was the sweetest little girl through it all. She has been okay with it all and made it through, she has told me "mommy, I am going to wear my clothes always".   This little lady of ours just thinks of all the possibilities and what can go wrong and this and that...and it can be a little frustrating for me when other people say things about what they think we've done wrong, or think we should do. The Lord has blessed us with her and I learned through this that He knows her more than anyone which is why going to Him is the best place to go because He will guide you as you ask and wait. It is in His way and this experience has taught me the sweetness of His way, not easiness because it was challenging and I still worry that it will come back, but I know that the Lord knows what is going on and if I turn to Him with humility He will guide me. I am grateful for my mom who was inspired to say what she did. She changed my mothering completely and for that I will always be grateful. She is a marvelous woman. She is a blessing in my life and I know that the Lord knows I need her!

I also learned that I can't control my kids life. I am not in charge. They come with their own personalities and hardships. I get to be the influence in their life that will hopefully bring them closer to Christ through it all..the thick, the thin, the joy, the hardships. That is what mothering is about, being there to teach, love, nurture, and remind them of the divinity within. I love being a mom even if I stink sometimes :) It is okay.

Baby C Turned TWO!

WOW!!! He turned two years old...can you believe it??? Where did the time go? Baby C is no longer a baby anymore, yet I find myself still thinking he is. His favorites as of now are...Drum roll please...

BASEBALL- didn't see that one coming did ya? He lives for baseball. His new word which he just started to say the past couple of days is...can you guess? Yankee's. Nope no help from us on that one. He came up to me the other day and said, "Mama Ball? Yankee's?" I could not figure out what he was talking about, he has a Yankee's shirt and hat, but we don't have TV so we don't get to watch them play or anything... So his new baseball and bat from Papa has now turned into "Yankee's ball, Yankee's bat" sorry dad...I had nothing to do with it! He still walks around with the Giants hand and says "GO Giants Go Giants"!  Poppy...you should be very proud.

He wakes up grabs his bat and ball runs to the family room and if daddy is home it's "Daddy pay ball" "me pitch" and then baby C will pitch to my D man and they will play forever. He LOVES when we get to see his cousin because his cousin loves to play ball too so they have started to play together...Baby C thinks it is the coolest thing in the world, it is right!

He loves his sister...Don't know how this happens, but brothers and sisters come to earth knowing how to push each others buttons AND knowing how to love each other unconditionally. They take things from each other, they get mad at each other...like tonight Miss A was having a hard moment and I was trying to get C to bed she was mad because "her night light" which she hasn't used for months was in his room. She wanted it back. She threw her little fit saying it's mine, it's mine...well baby C thought it was funny and began to say back to her "mine" and on it went. He thought it was funny she thought it wasn't and for about ten minutes until I broke it up because I wanted some peace they went on...sometimes one of them says I wish so and so wasn't in our family...but then something beautiful happens and then they make up...they hug, they tackle, they laugh, they tickle, they play with each others toys, they get to play together (which has been so fun to see), and you can see they really do love each other.

He loves to play cars when he isn't playing ball.
He loves when daddy comes home
He loves the song I'm so Glad When Daddy Comes Home
He loves the song Itsy bitsy spider, Popcorn Popping, the Wheels on the Bus, I Love to See the Temple, Star Wars Theme.

He LOVES Star Wars- He is always "Chewy" well it is now "ewbaca" He gets the blasters and the lightsabers...he used to only use the blue (pool noodle) but now he uses the green and is often times "Yooda" He asks me this, "Mam dun dun" and then I begin to sing the star wars theme, he gets Really excited and dances and waves his lightsaber around.

He loves food...any food except we found out today watermelon. He is not a watermelon eating boy. He loves cheese...it makes him break out sadly and gets gassy...but if he can sneak it he will.

He loves to sleep in our bed.

He loves to wear sunglasses and hats

He loves Mickey Mouse

He loves to go to Nana and Papas house..Miss A still wishes we lived there.

He loves to climb especially when I say no

He loves balloons

He loves to "run" all over all the time...falling is now at a minimum I hope. I am almost certain that we will be having broken bones because he is crazy.

He loves to cuddle

He loves to brush his teeth and play in the bath

He loves to pray- His sweet little prayers go something like this, "Father, HAPPY day, Happy Jesus, peese bess Jesus, peese bess good amen" I love hearing him pray...we all do! D man and I thought of them when we read this scripture in Mosiah in The Book of Mormon the other day..."And they gave thanks to God, yea, all their men and all their women and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of their God."

I am grateful every single day to be his mom and to have these two sweet ones. I have to remind myself that they are kids, they aren't perfect, I am not perfect and goodness patience is something I had and I hope I find it soon.....sometimes moments are hard. They are heaven sent and the biggest blessing in our life. They truly make our life sweeter, we have to work together for their good and as we do that it blesses us so much. I wouldn't want it any other way.

18 Months Old!

Baby C is no longer a little baby! He is now the big 1 and 1/2. I have learned A LOT this past year and a half. It all seems somewhat like a blurr with chaos and joy mixed in. Little C man is growing and growing. He loves to tease his big sister, he loves to try to get her in trouble. He loves food, although he still has a hard time with it...he will eat and eat and eat. He is starting to sleep. Within the past four months he has slept in HIS bed for an ENTIRE night 5 times. WAAAHOOOO!!!! He runs, he jumps, he jumps while he throws, he throws a ball harder than I can, anything long is a bat...he has used cooking spoons, bowling pins, spatulas, Miss A's toy rolling pin, and my long comb as a bat. He swings those bats and brings you one to swing too. Anything and I mean ANYTHING round is a ball. When walking into the grocery store the first excited words out of this boys mouth while pointing to the apples and oranges that always great us as we walk in are "baall". He loves the check out line at Costco because he can see the TV section and he'll start jumping in the cart saying "bayball" or "ball" for football. We bought the movie Inside Out which we love...and he climbs up on our bed grabs the remote, points to the TV and says can you guess??? "Ball" The memories are shaped like ball so to him it is like the greatest movie on earth.

He throws tantrums...especially when I won't let him eat his halloween candy. For the first few days after Halloween he walked around until the chocolate was melted in the wrapper in his hand. He loves anything sweet. He sleeps in until 8 or 9 usually. He loves dogs.

He says, mama, dad, nana, papa, right there, this, ball, bat, bayball, dog, ink for drink, bread, all done, get down, fish, car, truck, inky for stinky (while plugging his nose), eyes, duck, quack, yeah, Jesus.

He thinks burping is funny, he loves studio C. He likes music and dancing or falling. He falls A LOT, he climbs A LOT. He loves the bath, he loves the car, he loves when daddy gets home. He pants like a dog when he sees one. He points while moving his whole body in the direction he is moving. He gives such sweet hugs around your neck. He loves to spit while brushing his teeth just like his sister. He wants to be big. He reads from the scriptures at the table like daddy. He picks up the scriptures that daddy reads to us from and says "dad". He folds his arms for prayers when he hears "amen". He loves to be outside, he loves the slide, he hates the swings. He loves shoes and socks and his baseball jammies. He went to nursery on Sunday and stayed the entire time!!! They bribed him with animal crackers...and it worked. He loves the songs Book of Mormon Stories, I am a Child of God, Dream A Little Dream of Me, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Good Mornin' Good Mornin', Studio C's Avengers, I Know that My Savior Loves Me. 

He giggles when you roar like a dinosaur or lion. He likes to throw things in the garbage. I have found his binky, his big sisters socks, and an unopened package of skittles so far. 
 
He is one awesome little guy!

Time Goes WAY too Fast

Time goes WAY to FAST...or life gets WAY to BUSY??? Either way I have missed writing and missed many months. So here is to another try at writing.

What has happened? Baby C is no longer a little baby anymore. He grew out of his food allergies (I am hoping forever!) and since then he has gained 6 lbs in really less than two months! He is making up for all his lost time with dairy. This little guy LOVES his sippy cup with milk. I however think I am now allergic to all dairy :) but really since I stopped using rice and almond milk...I have broken out in hives and goodness it is driving me NUTS!

He can say dada, mama, nana, papa, banana, apple, da (dog), qack (duck/quack), ball or a ball, bird is like bwir. He LOVES animals. I have never met a human being who loves animals as much as this little guy does. He just walks right up to big dogs, little dogs and sticks that little hand out hoping it will get licked. It is so funny, he just giggles. He loves bugs crawling on the ground and will point them out to you.

He loves digging in the dirt, eating the dirt, dipping his fruit bars in the dirt and then eating them...even if there is a poky from nana and papa's tree stuck in the now dipped in dirt fruit bar. He loves to steal his sisters shovel, he now loves throwing the dirt from the shovel behind him...so beware! He loves rocks, he loves picking papa's unripe tomatoes off the vine after pointing and walking up to while repeating, "a ball or baw" and then throwing them.

He loves shoes, wearing big shoes and walking quite well with both of them on. He loves hats and always has...from the day he was born until maybe three or four months he would only sleep with his little hospital beanie on. He loves putting on daddy's baseball hats and giggling since it covers his whole face. The other day Miss A and I were playing dress up and got hats on...well he thought he needed one too and came running over to us giggling and tried to steal our hats...then got mad when neither of us would give up our girly hats...so we found one for him.

He loves dancing with us. He loves his big sister so much even if they sometimes don't get along. He could go down in history for the most times fallen and getting bruised. This little man has been the most wobbly boy no most wobbly baby in the WORLD! We think it is because his feet and so much smaller then his head :) But hey he is growing into them. I have learned with him that it is okay to get hurt our Father in Heaven made babes heads strong and cushy so they can fall and get up again. I try to give thanks every time this little guy falls and doesn't get a bump or bruise.

He is learning he can push, hit, and still loves to throw himself backwards when he is really mad. I am praying he will end that stage REALLY quick. He tried to run before he could walk, he is one determined little guy. He hops back up after he gets hurt and does the exact same thing...I'm going with the idea that he wants to try to master his mistake.

He loves watching his daddy play softball and baseball. He gets out of the car clapping when he sees that we are at daddy's softball game. If there is anything round, to baby C it is a ball. I love going to the grocery store and right as we walk in he sees the produce and gets all excited and says while pointing over and over again "ball".

I know that is a lot for one post...but I haven't written in a LONG TIME!!!!!!!

Ten Months Old!

What is baby C doing now?


-Crawling
-Says and knows dada, mama or momom, ada, nana, papa, yaya, gaga, baba
-Loves to yell talk
-Waves his hands side to side while facing the ground when he really likes something
-Gives high fives and loves doing it
-Pulling himself up to everything he can
-Today he actually let go and stood twice by himself...he wants to move SO bad...and thinks he can!
-He is a very determined little guy- he keeps going until he can figure it out
-He loves and I mean LOVES the little fisher price piano that Miss A got when she turned one (thanks Sam!) he plays with it all day...when he is wanting to be down on the ground. Pulls himself up, dances, falls down while trying to manuver his way to the back of the piano, cries, gets back up, pinches his fingers once or twice while standing and turning the pages, gets super mad, yells, and then once they are out he is back to the beginning.
-He discovered he can do the head bob, whenever he hears music his dance begins
-He loves music
-He loves cheerios
-He loves food, he eats and eats and eats
-He doesn't like to sleep
-He definitely doesn't like to nap...I always wondered what I would do if we ever had a child that wouldn't nap...I thought there has to be something that can work..........nope, tried them all, nothing has worked so far.
-He loves and I mean LOVES to cuddle. If we would let him cuddle with us all night long he would.
-He loves papas pen in his pocket. He checks for it everytime papa comes around
-He loves peek-a-boo, pat a cake, five speckeled frogs, the incy wincy spider, jingle bells (especially when Miss A sings it)
-He loves when prayers are said, I think it is pretty funny. He always starts to laugh when we start to say prayers.
-He loves to pull your face and hair
-Loves the vac, anything loud really
-Loves watching wheels go around
-Laughs when you open or walk by a computer
-He loves to take toys away from Miss A, especially if she has just taken them from him
-Hates diaper changes
-Allergic to dairy and soy
-Weighs 16.2 lbs
-Head is in the 50th percentile :)
-Loves to be outside
-Loves to smile!


We sure love this little guy

Seven Months Old!

Seven Months have flown right by! This little man is getting bigger every day! This little man has stolen our hearts that is for sure. It is funny to me how different Baby C and Miss A are. They look almost identical but their big personalities are their own.

So what is this little baby boy up to?
 -Rolling Rolling Rolling! He loves rolling all over not thinking where he might be going! Miss A sometimes gets upset when he starts to roll into her toys, but most of the time I hear giggles and laughs especially when Baby C rolls into her.

-He eats and eats and eats. He loves his food! He has tried pears, apples, sweet potatoes, squash, and bananas. He is pretty little for his age...except his head...hopefully he will grow into it! :) He weighs 15lbs 15oz and is 25 inches long.

He LOVES to pull hair- if he is upset all you have to do is sit him on someone's shoulders and voila it is instant joy and smiles...at least for him...he is the one pulling the hair.

Miss A and her Sayings

Funny Quotes by Miss A



Tonight we had our movie night. After the movie Miss A picked up my phone and said, "Oh, look at the time, i better get to bed".

"Daddy don't you know you love to play with me?"

"It is cool that Mimi can talk to Clementine"

Talking to grandpa she said, "I want you to come visit me." He told her she should come visit them. She said, "I don't like flying"

"Here's the deal mommy."

"Okay, this is what I am thinking..."

"I want to ask you a question..." followed by a statement. 

Feeds baby C
"I'll Say"
"Holy Smokey"
While I ran upstairs to grab an ingredient, I hear "Mommy do I put the applesauce with the wet ingredients?"
"It's okay, your big sister is here."
"Don't put that in your mouth...to little"
"Let's Play!"

Because I am a Mother

Because I am a Mother...
-I get to spend all day with two of the sweetest kids I know
-I get to change dirty diapers 24/7. Some not so fun...but what makes it worth it is a happy baby free from diaper rash!
-I get to nurse every two hours...which makes it kind of tricky when figuring out when to go places and honestly that is why we don't go out a whole lot right now because it is way more comfortable for me to nurse at home.
-I sometimes have to clean up throw up. Definitely not the most fun part...except for the blessing it is to be able to comfort that little lady when nobody else can. I also think this last time Miss A and Mr. D were sick I was blessed to not get sick while they were so I could have the strength to clean it and help them. Cleaning it up was all worth it when right after Miss A had throw up I gave her a sip of water she turned to me pale faced and said so sweetly, "thank you".
-I get to dress baby C in many outfits every day, sometimes all of them in two days.
-I get to clean up LOTS of spit up and wash LOTS of clothes over and over again in the same week! They sure smell good.
-I don't get to sleep in, but I wake up to the two sweetest smiling faces.
-I get to play dress up, fairies, princesses, Sofia, Pteranodon family, house, doll house, doctor.
-I get to teach a little girl who is fascinated with space, weather, letters, numbers, scriptures, reading, dinosaurs...or at least pteranodons, constellations, planets, car safety, fire safety, counting, addition, bones in the body, how flowers grow, the seasons...
-I get woken up in my sleep to be able to help scare off monsters, and comfort someone in need.
-I get to try A LOT of new recipes. Baby C has a milk and soy allergy, so we try a lot of dairy free recipes...from breakfast to desserts. I am grateful that I have a husband and daughter who are willing to try ANYTHING! When I was off everything except fruits veggies and meat we had some interesting and hard times trying to meals that wouldn't starve me, but wow, when you clean your system out you feel really good!
-I get to help the Lord in His beautiful plan. Teaching children and raising children who know they are children of God. Who know they can do anything with the help of the Lord.
- I get to teach and be taught by little ones
- I get to watch the joy in my little girls eyes as she creates the world around her
-I get to sing to Sofia the first, and princesses all day.
- I get to jump in puddles again, play in the snow, dance in the rain, play in the mud, and try to remember what it was like to get messy. I love to watch her get her rain boots on, rain coat, and no umbrella to go out into the puddles and rain and just soak herself head to toe. We laugh and I cry, because I want to remember those moments forever.
-I get to be snuggled by baby C.
-I get to hear his sweet little voice say over and over mama, mam, ma, moma.
-I get to hear his sweet little laugh when Miss A dances, when we crawl on  the floor, when we bark like dogs, or when Mr. D calls on the phone and baby C hears him on speaker.
-I get to hear jokes that make no sense at all and laugh at them anyway.
-I get to hear the prayers of angels.
-I get to be silly again and again
-I sometimes cry because things get hard, and I don't always know the best thing to do, but the sweet relief comes when prayer is involved and I realize I am their mother and I do know more than I think.
-I get kiss away hurts.
-I get to watch Mr. D play with the kiddos, and simply smile because it fills me with joy.
-I get to make our home a safe place (along with help of course!)
-I get to learn new things every day...and realize there is no way you can know everything...although to some little people I do know everything.
-I get to keep heaven on earth every day!
-I get to be reminded of what is most important. I get to be reminded that this is the work of God on earth...families. There is no greater work that I can do than the work that is done "within the walls of my own home."
I love being a mother!

Sweet November

Sweet Sweet November. We love and I mean LOVE this time of year...especially the next few weeks of November. Why? Well because they have special meaning to us...this is the time of year when Mr. D and I finally talked to each other, he asked me out on our first date, we began dating, and well we know the rest! This year the dates happen to fall on the same day of the week as it did when we first really talked to each other. But I wanted to write quick and not in detail how it all happened. At this point I replay it in my mind...and D and I talk about it a lot, we love thinking back and looking back and remembering. I wish however that I had a movie of it so we could sit back and watch.

September

We met the first or second day of our social dance class. We had to shake hands and say, "Hello I am ... It is nice to meet you." So when I shook hands with Mr. D and said "Hello I am ..." he said "Oh like the song". That caught me off guard because it is an old song and most people our age have never heard of it. It has always been kind of special to me because my parents love it and I am named after it so there you go...On the semester went, he dated a lot in short amount of time :) I like to tease him...but hey I don't blame him or the other girls there were many many girls after this man he is the best of the best and so special to me! I had gone on a couple of dates with people I knew because they were roommates with my cousins and I spent a lot of time with my cousins. I was to the point of not wanting to date, it was always awkward or the person I was on the date with always did something that just bugged me...keep that in mind for later. And for the record...which Mr. D always teases me about, I didn't go up to the school to get married, I hoped one day it would happen, but that was not my intent for going to school. So within the first couple of weeks I decided that I was going to focus on my dancing only unless I was supposed to meet my husband, but I told the Lord I would need help and He would have to show me because I was done until that time. Well within the next week who should I keep seeing around campus (which I hadn't before), and who did I start to stare at in class, who could I not get out of my mind, and who did I feel like I had to talk to? Yes Mr. D the boy I didn't even know!

October

In our class I just found myself staring at him and I always felt awkward when he would look my way. I would quickly look down because in my mind it was so obvious I was giving him all the signals to come talk to me...he obviously missed them because I still had to be the one to go up to him! When we danced together our eyes would lock and I just stared at him, I guess I froze because I couldn't find anything to say to him. When we danced it was so different I felt like I could just stay in his arms forever, smiling at each other, looking at each other, being together...That may sound creepy but it isn't! After we danced and had class for a few weeks I started feeling more strongly and I couldn't get thoughts out of my head telling me I need to go and talk to him...Now I am not one who ever went to strike up a conversation with a boy, but I couldn't shake the feeling or thought. So I kept praying for help not to be afraid to talk to him.

October 30th

For our social dance class wee had to go to to so many dances put on at the school for credit in our class. There happened to be one the night my cousin and I were leaving for Utah to audition for Disney World. But both my cousin and I needed the credit, and I hoped Mr. D would be there so we went. Was he there? Yes! Did he say hi to me? Yes! As he was dancing with another girl...I felt like a stalker and he calls me one (teasing of course) because I just watched them together and that night when I got home (to Utah) I talked with my mom and told her "I can't do this. He is probably going to marry her. They looked like they were having such a good time"....Now my wonderful mother just laughed at me and she and my dad asked, "did she have a ring on her finger?" I replied "No" and then they said, "then you can ask him out". So on we go I auditioned it was fun, the entire time I felt like I there was something else in store for me...so I wasn't too disappointed when I found out I didn't get a position dancing. We went back to school and then it all began again.

November

I would get the guts up to talk to him but he would be walking or talking with another girl almost every single time. I talked myself out of it because I was not going to go talk to him if there was another girl there. Fast forward to November 11th...the night of our stake dance. Yes I looked him up and found out that we were in the same stake so he would be going to the stake dance that night and I knew without a doubt that I had to talk to him tonight because I had been given many chances before that I passed up.

Did I say I wasn't going to go in to detail...oops!

November 11th 

I was sick with a cold but decided to go for a little while just to see if he was there. He went to the gym and worked out but then decided to come for a little while. I saw him, he saw me, and then I made my plan. I saw him walk out of the ballroom so I walked out too. He sat down to talk to someone he knew so I walked into the bathroom and prayed because I was so nervous. I came back out he was still talking, my cousin came up with a bunch of his friends and started talking to me, they asked if I was coming back in and I said, "No I have to talk to someone first", one of them asked, "Who do you have to talk to?" and I said, "Him. I have to talk to Mr. D" who had walked up right at that moment I had that "twenty seconds of courage". They all left and there we were right outside the door into the ballroom and I asked the question, "Were Kobe and Osaka in your mission?" (I already knew the answer...no...but my dad served his LDS mission in Japan so it was an easy in for me). Mr. D explained how they were not and then we kept talking. He asked if I wanted to do something sometime and of course I answered YES! I then asked for his number because he was taking FOREVER. He asked if I wanted to dance and of course I said YES! He then said, "I'll come find you for the next song". And he did. We danced together, I tripped...a lot, we laughed and in a text message to me that night he said, "If anyone were to trip I am glad it was you!"  

Boy am I too! I am thankful that the Lord helped me have courage to talk to Mr. D and let me know that He had a better plan for both of us...Mr. D is the best husband and father and man. I know why it felt so different dancing together it felt like coming home. I did come home...and I love coming home to him every single day since!

Some of my favorite pictures from school!

We Love Halloween

So I was up late or early more like it making Halloween costumes because in our family I rarely do things early. We decided to switch Sunday night Miss A's costume and add on three more costumes. One for Mr. D, baby C, and me. We have always let Miss A choose what she wants to be for Halloween except year one...we chose for her and she was a chicken...wow we must be on a chicken theme in our family! I'll try to find a picture. She's been Rapunzel, a pumpkin, Periwinkle, a ballerina fairy, and Elsa. Now last year she wanted to be a ghost, then she switched last minute but it was easy, this year when Halloween came around she told me, "I want to be a ghost because I wanted  to last year and I didn't." So I was set on making that ghost costume...until I started to hear her say to other people that she was going to be Elsa.........so long story short we switched to Elsa, why not. Mr. D was Kristoff, baby C was Olaf, and I was Anna. Miss A was so excited! In my mind I saw all of the costumes and thought hmm that will be easy...........until I started sewing and realized how much hand stitching I would be doing, I would have to line Elsa's dress because this little lady doesn't wear anything that is scratchy, or jeans. So after the many hours of work I am going to start next years costumes NOW!

 Carrying on the tradition of "you get to dress up in two different costumes"

We had a neighborhood trunk or treat on Wednesday night. He was a lion, and Miss A was a "fairy ballerina". This little guy loved and I mean loved  the trunk or treat. If he is ever upset all you have to do is take him outside, it is instant happiness. 

 Thanks to my wonderful mother who helped me a lot with this Elsa costume and figuring out patterns and going to six different fabric stores and six different walmarts until we finally found the right fabric. This is really the first time I have sewn since baby C was born and it can be challenging when he nurses every two hours, he doesn't take naps, he doesn't like to be left laying on the bed with toys while I talk to him from the chair three feet away...he would rather be at the sewing machine; and to have a little girl who is so bored that she "has to be stuck in that room all day". She still doesn't enjoy being downstairs playing by herself...I don't blame her though I was the same way.

 Here is his Olaf hat!

 And after trick or treating...can't see it all...that's okay it was fun!

So Halloween was a blast. The day after was not. Miss A, and Mr. D got the stomach bug going around everywhere...it was not candy, why do I know that? Because all night we kept hearing, "I am not going to eat any candy I don't want to throw up." Well poor girl, she didn't eat any and she ended up throwing up anyway. Now the past three days have been filled with tears and screams of not wanting to eat anything because she is afraid of throwing up. Tonight however we hopefully had a break through.

Our quick funny and not so funny Halloween moments.
-Trunk or Treat- Lost fairy wand=sad little girl, searching with a head lamp in the parking lot of the church. Tears coming down her face. Going around to trunk or treat asking every one if they have seen her fairy wand all the while daddy looks for it. Thankfully "the chinchilla lady" had picked it up where it was dropped right by her car and someone else ten cars down heard about it and told Miss A when she asked her. But the sweetest part about this I thought was when one of the girls said to Miss A, "Here you can have my wand, I don't need it anymore." Now she didn't take her up on it, I guess only her wand would do. But I thought that was a pretty selfless sweet thing to do.
-Nana and Papa's annual Halloween party! It was fun. Of course N and B and family were greatly greatly missed. We had mummy dogs, pizza, witches brew (and by the way dad this years was hands down the best witches brew you have ever made), pass the pumpkin, Z man beating people up dressed as a transformer, B being called a Zebra when really he was dressed as a prisoner..."my daddy is zebra" followed by laughter, pin the nose on the jack'o'lantern, and last but not least instead of "snort piggy snort snort" it was "booo Ghost booo".
-Singing Miss A's favorite song-
               Halloween, Halloween, lots of fun on Halloween.
               Black cats and Ghosts, Skeletons too
               Clowns and witches all say BOO
               Pumpkins with eyes shiny and bright,
               Makes us shiver with fright.
               Halloween, Halloween, we love Halloween. 
- While I finished the last costume people were just beginning to trick or treat. Here is the door situation at our house-
              Miss A and D answered the door, the boy (who we know) was dressed up in a skeleton mask scared miss A as she opened the door and what did she do??? Shut it right in his face because she got scared.
-While the night progressed and we moved from house to house Miss A began to turn down people when they told her she could take more than one piece of candy.
-Her Elsa cape is so long it drags (we bustled it up but it doesn't work that well). Mr. D ran it over on accident twice and boy, as my dad used to say, "if looks could kill you'd be dead"...well let's just say her look is one we will never forget and will always bring a little laughter. She was momentarily quite upset and told him, "If my cape wasn't so long maybe you would stop running it over with the stroller." 
-The last house we went to had king sized candy bars. The girl brought the candy bars to the door all laid out on a nice round platter...when Miss A saw them she looked at the girl and said, "I don't want any", walked away and left me standing there all alone. The girl then looked at me and I awkwardly said, "I guess she's had enough candy...thank you." Yeah I'll just say this little lady has made me get out of my comfort zone many many many times.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

D was done with classes for the semester so off we went!

 We took off to the Zoo! We love going to the zoo so any chance we get we go...especially on the cooler days. This day was even better for Miss A because while we were sitting waiting for the bird show to start we realized we sat in front of some of our friends...their little girl and Miss A are different ages but love to play together. So we spent the rest of our time at the zoo with them.

 They recently got lions!!! 

After that we headed to meet with some of our other friends from Idaho, well D knew him from Japan first. They have moved from Idaho and were passing through so we got together with them. After we ate we headed to the dinosaur play area. If you know Miss A you know she loves dinosaurs as well. So when she saw this place she was so excited. At home she puts blankets over her and pretends to "crack the egg" or have one of us crack it so she can "be born". It was awesome! However, this was her first experience getting her feelings hurt by another person...and can I just tell you how sad it made me...If you know Miss A you know she is spunky, she can be bossy, and stubborn, she knows what she wants and is not afraid to tell you...she also is the sweetest little girl I know. Her little feelings are so tender, she wants to be kind and truly is kind. This experience has kind of helped her to see though, how it feels when other people are mean or when she is mean to someone else. Long story short...Miss A was beginning to climb onto a red stegosaurus when a little girl on top of the dinosaur started pushing her hand off, then she started stepping on Miss A's fingers so she wouldn't climb up...now first of all I love little kids and I know they all have to learn how to treat each other...but for the first time I wanted to go over there and stop that little girl from pushing and stepping and saying mean things, I thought who in the world is watching her? They should probably be coming out to stop her because I am ready to walk over there and stop it. But I let it play out, I know I won't be able to be there every time something happens so I have to let Miss A figure it out. So on with it...she stepped on her little fingers and told her she couldn't get on because she was on it and it was all hers. Miss A looked over at us, kind of questioning, almost with the facial expression of why is she doing this? What do I do? Can't I play on it? Then came the rushing of tears and through the sobs she kept asking, "Why did she do that?" Thankfully after crying and talking it over she went back to cautiously playing. 

After that it was on to the Disney store. The Disney store is one of our favorites!!! I cannot wait to go to Disneyland!!!! This is a magic mirror and when a wand is waved over it one of the princess's appears and talks to you. She loved it...over and over and over again!

So daddy had a pretty fun birthday. We love to be together and if we are happy he is happy, and if he is happy we are happy!

Sunday is a Day of Rest...and a Time for Lots of Laughter

Sunday is a day of rest for us....and for the most part it really is. One reason we love Sunday's at our house because Daddy doesn't do his homework! That means that he is all ours all day! We have been talking about how on Sunday we decide not to go to the store, or shopping etc. we "rest" from all our labors.
Keeping that in mind...as we are getting ready to go to church little Miss A announces, "I am not going to go to church. I am going to rest."
To which I responded, "That is fine you can rest after church."
She counters, "Sunday is a day of rest."
I conclude, "It is, but it also is a day where we go to church to learn of Jesus. So we will rest after we go to church."
And did it end there? It actually did that time, which was surprising and nice because I didn't have to battle!

Fast forward to sitting in the chapel....there we are listening to a sister missionary who just returned from serving in Australia. She was sharing her experiences with teaching people about God and Jesus Christ. She was also asked to speak on one scripture from The Book of Mormon, Helaman  5:12 which reads, "And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall."

She then went on and talked about ways that we can build our foundation on our Savior. She talked about scripture study, family prayer, family home evening, faith, going to the temple, etc. She continued and talked about what happens when we do not have our foundation built upon Christ. She said the words "crack and break". Miss A looks up at me and says, "Crack, break? I hope that doesn't happen to our house."
I said, "That is why we build it strong. Just like our faith and testimony. We need to believe in Jesus and come to know Him, so we won't be tricked by Satan."
Now just fyi we haven't talked much about Satan at our house...he isn't one we like to talk about...we have talked a little but not a lot yet.
She asked, "What? Who is Satan?"
I said, "He is the one from Heaven who was mean, didn't follow our Savior, and he has brought bad things into this world. He tries to trick us."
She responded, "I hope he doesn't come to Utah."

Back to the sister missionary...she told a story of a man they met who is related to "the rock" you know the guy from The Game Plan? I don't even know his name...So in talking about it she says, "His cousin is "the rock"". Then we all hear Miss A say, "His cousin's a rock? Why?"

Oh gotta love this girl!

A Little Learning

Miss A and I went grocery shopping the other day...

All I can say to that is WOW we actually did it.

The grocery store has been a hard place for me to get to lately...I guess for a few reasons, those being

1. I am still getting used to being a mama of two. It takes twice as long for us to get out the door, we are not meaning Miss A, Baby C and myself, aren't that great at leaving right after baby C eats. It is usually due to the fact that everything likes to happen at an inconvenient times. Feeding is through then someone poops, or someone is hungry :) I am learning!!!

2. I haven't figured out how to get everything in the kart with the carseat in the back and Miss A in the front. I am a little to short to lift the carseat into the cart.

3. After the thought of it all I am exhausted and would rather wait until my sweet D gets home and then we either take a date and go or all of us go. 

SO back to the story. We went to the grocery store, just Miss A and I. As we were checking out we had a banana case. We ended up needing to get some other bananas. The cashier scanned the bananas and said to on our way out just go grab another bunch of bananas like the previous ones. I then asked, "Should I bring them back and show you?" to which he responded, "No, you can just grab some". Little Miss A then got a look of surprise on her face and worry. She said to the cashier, "Just take them without paying. Isn't that stealing? Are we stealing the bananas?" Oh goodness I love this girl! The cashier smiled and laughed a little and we explained to her that we already paid for the bananas so it isn't stealing. A big expression of relief washed over her face after that. 

It is amazing to me that her little brain is able to recognize things like that and understand. I am grateful for those teaching moments.

Two Months Old Already!

I can't believe two months have flown right by! I have felt like a zombie for part of it :) but honestly I can't complain...baby C is a sleeper! We bundle him up and he is out for the night...most nights anyway! Now on the other hand...little miss A wakes up faithfully during the night. Most of the time she runs into our room and lays right down on the floor and goes to bed. On other nights however it is..."I have to go to the bathroom", "I need a diaper change", "Will you come check my room for wolves", "Let's have a sleepover", "Mommy will you please put your arm around me", and last of all "I am not going back to sleep". She is a sweetheart with a smart mind and a spunky personality.

Miss A for the most part has been great with the new adjustment. There have been little things here and there usually when she is tired.  Today however we did end up switching rooms back. Who's genius idea was it to switch rooms so she and C could have the biggest room since they are sharing??? MINE! Did I even think about how this little lady hates change? Nope I did not. So after fighting it for awhile I gave in. She has been SO excited about being back in her room with the magic that is written on the walls.

I love writing down the things that baby C is learning and doing...here goes!
 Today he saw and stared at his hands for the first time
He hit his nose with his fist, looked at me, looked rather confused as if he were saying wait what happened? That hurt! , and then began to cry.
He loves and I mean LOVES peek a boo. Last night D and I were playing it with him and oh my goodness I started to cry. He had the biggest smiles and he did a little chuckle once! It is so sweet! He tilts his head opens up wide to smile and squints those blue eyes. 
He loves to talk to us and smile. I love being greeted in the morning with a big smile from both C and A
He has rolled over- no lie- twice
He isn't a fan of the hanging bees in his play gym (I have no idea what they are called) he starts to cry every time he sees them. But he does love the frog and dog
He hates to sleep during the day
He loves to be outside-thankfully!
He loves his monkey's that are in his bouncer- he smiles at them a lot
He LOVES his daddy and big sister. When he is upset he quits when Miss A gives him kisses
He loves to mimic you when you stick out your tongue.
He isn't a fan of his car seat
He isn't a big fan of his binky
He also isn't a fan of his crib- hopefully that will change!
He smiled for the first time on Tuesday June 17th
He loves the song "I am a Child of God" and  "Twinkle twinkle little star" but only when Miss A sings it

We sure love these two!

Thought of the Day

Dear Movie Writers/Producers,

Did you know that you can make a point in a movie without using vulgar language? In fact it makes a person sound more intelligent when those words aren't used....

Bathtime!

This is how bath time started out. Say hello to the new favorite facial expression!

We are glad to have some of our family here! We miss Mimi and Poppy and wish they could be here too. If we could we would have grammy and grampy here and everyone! Grandpa and Grandma were looking for tickets to come out because baby C's cousin who is just a few months older (which we are SO excited they are so close in age!) was being blessed around this time. Lucky for all of us (they didn't tell any of us they were coming) things happened around the same time! It happened that the ticket price went down that morning and they decided to look...coincidence? I think not. They had looked the night before. So they bought them and hopped on the plane. 

It was really fun to watch D and grandpa. Their expressions were the best. 

Do you think he likes his bath?

 Miss A helping to wash her baby brother.

 Not until the shampoo. He was so funny! It was instantly that he stopped crying and was so content. He could have sat there for an hour getting his hair washed.

They showed this way of washing his hair to D at the hospital and I am grateful they did! Baby C loves it!

He Has Her Heart Too!

He has stolen all our hearts! Especially his big sisters. She is so sweet to him. Giving him kisses, loving him like crazy, wanting to hold him. I love how she grabs her dolls and pretends to feed them while her little brother is eating. She pretends to nurse and burp her babies. I think it is amazing that from the time we are little, it is instilled in us that nurturing. Although I do believe it is also something you have to work towards...like anything in this life, part of being a woman means being a nurturer and strengthening that God given gift.

 

 My two handsome boys!

Sweet Miss A!

Sweet little boy!