Merry Christmas

2012 card

and the rest of the pictures that didn't make this years Christmas card,

but are equally loved:

*Picture credit to my talented sister in law Ashley.

2 years ago:

Today:

Love them with all my heart.

8 months

Where does the time go? My little baby is sitting up and getting all over the place with her little army crawl. She loves her head to be rubbed and likes to flip back and look at things upside down. She is still such a happy easy going little thing, but still prefers Mom or Dad if they are within seeing or hearing distance. Everything goes in her mouth. She wants to eat whatever I am having. She wakes up every morning at 4:30 to eat, and then again at 8:30. I haven't kicked the early morning feed for two reasons: She is still so small, and I know I will miss this time with her. She loves to play with her brother and sister and now that she is big enough in their eyes, I often find them sitting behind her playing with her or someone carrying her - which is always alarming. I don't care how old they are! She brings so much joy to us!

7 months

and growing everyday...

Just before I painted eyebrows on her.

fort.

necessary entertainment on a rainy day.

6 months

On the day you were born, it was love at first sight.

I welcomed you, little one, and held you tight.

My heart simply grew bigger in size

the first time I looked into your sweet eyes.

Hope and happiness danced in the air.

Joy filled my heart and spread everywhere.

I made a promise to you on that very day.

This, my precious child, is what I had to say:

"I will always love you!"

I'll cherish the things that are uniquely you - 

Your talents, your hopes, and your wishes, too.

I'll rock you to sleep as I sing you a song.

I'll read you stories as you follow along.

I'll show you the beauty of the stars in the sky.

My love will be with you as the years go by.

I'll teach you to see life from different points of view.

And be there to help make you dreams come true.

The world became a more wonderful place

The moment I saw your beautiful face...

-Welcome Little One

by Sandra Magsamen

6 months.

Stats:

Height: 26 in. - 60%

Weight: 13 lbs 15 oz - 12%

L.O.V.E is all I have for her.

* see the other kids six month stats here.

I plan to blow this picture up b.i.g.

Because when I look at it I am reminded why I love this little one so much.

Yes. sometimes I need reminding. 

Like when I am at the book store and she is on the floor screaming at the top of her lungs.

Kicking.

Hitting.

and the two young clerks and the older couple in the store look at me like I am crazy for ignoring her. 

oh the looks I was given.

Do you ever feel incredibly judged in these moments?

I don't always, in fact people are usually empathetic.

But when she said "it must be nap time" for the third time I just smiled and nodded my head. 

What we say and what we think isn't always the same thing.

In my head I explained her.

and in my head they understood.

Why don't I say what I think more? I wish I did.

She screamed her "terrible squeal" as we now call it on the way home and for awhile in her room.

She even left a message on Dad's phone unbenounced.

Sometimes I like to record her during these episodes.

As reasoning proof of my insanity or blackmail later. Not sure which one.

It makes me happy to think one day she will grow up and maybe she will have one like her own.

As our parents put it "payback"

Only I am being payed back for my husband. Not sure that's fair! ;)

It makes me happy because I hope to be there for her.

When she calls me crying I will understand.

I will have answers.

and yes, let's be honest, a part of me wants her to have to go through the hell she gave me!

But once she cools down.

And I look again at this picture.

I am again reminded.

And somehow greatly overwhelmed with love.

For her.

And for my Father in Heaven. 

Who in round about ways strengthens me and never leaves me comfortless.

Seven years. Seven.
Cole and I have had the best seven years thanks to this little guy.

I miss his little voice. so much.

These moments over the years compiled together like this are enough to make my mother heart explode with pure happiness. I want to say so much more. But I'm not. Because it will take me 45 minutes to come up with a good paragraph... and right now I want to be there. and not here.

I'm a proud Mom.
Everyday I'm thankful for him in my life.



(Thanks to my dear El who kept putting her hand in front of the camera, I didn't get all of his goals... but you get the idea.)

5 months

Where does the time go?

She loves to hold her feet, suck on her bottom lip, smile her sweet smile with the most adorable dimple in her left cheek, laugh at her big brother & sister, roll all over the place, prop herself up on her forearms, hold her toys, put everything in her mouth, grab at anything, sleep on her stomach with her face buried into her mattress, sleep until 4:30 am, and be content.

I LOVE this baby. She makes me want at least a few more... whaaaaat!? (that was for you cole)

She loves to sit on her changing table and try to reach for those things hanging on the wall.

One has a favorite saying of mine on it:

"So quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep, I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep."

Words couldn't be truer as I'm watching my children grow all too quickly right before my open eyes.

Love you Andie Janey girl

Our lives are the sum of each moment and interaction.

Each day we work, eat, laugh, teach, play, read, remember... and work at it all again the next day. Whithin seemingly small moments we find opportunity to build relationships, develop character, find joy, for the price of our time.

Life's most essential possibilities are realized at home.

Where we share, teach, grow, learn, serve, give our best without praise or fanfare.

Because every effort, every moment matters in the development of a person.

- seeing the everyday

First day of a new school year.

My little second grader, and preschooler:

These simple moments that fill up my day sure make me happy.

aj laughing.
it's pretty cute.

Special delivery:

Meet Pippa.

The newest member to our family.

I know, we just had a new arrival... let's just say we are in baby mode right now.

She is the softest little fluffy fur ball you ever did meet, and she is even cuter in person I swear.

We love her already for our night went like this:

11:00pm Pip to bed.

11:15pm Pip stops crying.

1:00 Pip wakes up. Dad takes her out for a bathroom break.

1:20 Pip is back in her crate and back to sleep.

4:00am Big sister wakes up. Pip wakes up. Baby wakes up.

Mom feeds baby. Takes puppy out. Everyone, back to sleep.

5:00am Dad wakes up for work.

Pip doesn't make a squeak.

7:45 baby's up. Puppy's up. Kids are up.

Successful Bathroom break.

Breakfast.

Another successful bathroom break.

Play time.

Nap time.

Blog time. ;)

A few of my favorites from our week long get away to the cabin.

There is no better place to get a family picture, and we have been in need of one seeing as how our family has grown. They went as expected. Ella had a rash and it kept interfering. I'm lucky I got a few without her hands between her legs. Using a tripod with a timer isn't the easiest way to get a good photo, but they will do for now. We also got a darling shot of the three together.

We hiked around the in the Uintah's.

The boys fished at the lake. Someone caught 14 fish and someone got 9. I won't mention names.

We went on lot's of walks. Played a little Vegas Showdown. 

And enjoyed some beautiful sunsets.

I'm already...

Most days I prefer my mom put me down with my blanket to snuggle into and fall fast asleep. I nap like a champ during the day and I'm up every hour during the night - although lately when I cry nobody comes. What's up with that!? I love to laugh for my big brother and sister, and give mom & dad the sweetest smiles. I am mellow. I have already rolled over twice from my back to my stomach! I have discovered this thing in my mouth they call a tongue. I like to stick it out and blow bubbles. My hands are in my mouth most of the time. I hear my mom telling people constantly not to touch my hands, or to sanitize their own! I have my second cold in four months. The first lasted for two of those four months. Thank you big sister for always holding my hand and talking right into my face. I can hear you from further away... but I have to admit I like you in my face all the same. Keep on ignoring mom. She needs to relax a little anyway.

Mom says I have been pure joy in her life since day one.

I'm 100% positive my Dad agrees.

Love,

Your little a.j.

stats.

12 lb. 12 oz.  |  29%

25 in. long  |  76%

head 41 1/2  |  62%

I'm thankful for this little one.

She is so good.

She loves to snuggle into her blanket and fall right to sleep.

And while she doesn't sleep so great at night... 

I'm strangely thankful for the quiet time it provides us.

Just the two of us.

...and now Will Sm*th is running through my head.

If you know El this video sums her up.
If you don't... meet my girl:
Yelling at the bugs, stashing rocks in her pockets, spontaneously dumping grass all over her baby sisters face, singing in her yelling voice, her sassy attitude, the outfits, and the way she would rather focus her attention on anything other than her awesome mom trying to video her... or should we call it her will to never stop!?!

Over the weekend:

We finally made a swing for that tree in the backyard.

The kids laughed & laughed as they swung back and forth. 

These moments are priceless.

We enjoyed being outside.