Merry Christmas

Love, The Phipps

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Pajama's:

Six Months

Could a little boy be more loved?!?

Weight: 16.14 lbs. * 20th percentile ** Height: 26.69 inches * 54th percentile

I HATE Snow.

Growing up we had a delightful relationship. Until highschool when I realized how miserable the stuff was. My friends and I used to walk to school in it and sing songs about how we would rather be in Hawaii. Since then I do not like the stuff. I moved away from home in hopes to get less of it. Only once a year do I enjoy it, and that's the first snow. Then it can go away and never come back for a full year. Today Snow ruined our once strong bond even further.

We had to get Erika and her roommate to the airport to fly home this morning at 4 a.m. Of course, it's a blizzard out. Bryan being the good man that he is said he would drive her because I was freaking out. Nice of him, but this didn't help my anxiety because personally I'd rather die first. Morbid, but true. Anyway, he leaves at 4 and I wake up at 7 and he still isn't home. I start panicking. Trying to not be too much like my mother I wait. Bry calls and says he'll be home soon. Then my mother, being like my mother calls panicking herself to see if he's made it home yet. They were in a huge accident. Erika spun out and hit the median, and then someone rear-ended them. Bry's got huge bruises from the airbags, and his leather coat got ripped in half from the seatbelt. Erika's poor new car doesn't look too hot...let's just say the bumper is still somewhere in Salt Lake. Luckily, they are okay. I can't think of the alternative. Unfortunately, my relationship with snow is still not okay. I don't think there will be any mending this one.

Adios Snow. I'm off to California for Christmas.

Beatitudes.

Both of our computers completely crashed within two days of each other. Like that is even really possible. Oh, but it is folks. Now we have a law school loaner with no Photoshop. No Photoshop=No pictures. So I'm left with nothing to blog about but my thoughts. Yes, I have nothing better to do right now than blog because it's finals week for Bryan, which means I am spouse-less. And since it is also after 8, I am childless.

Since I have no exciting news I thought I'd share a what I've been studying. I love those moments in my life when I say (for lack of a better word), Ah-ha, I finally really get it! Because I feel like that Ah-ha is a blessing, I want to in return share it. Though I am sure most of you have already had this moment.

I'm currently reading The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ. Today I was reading about the Sermon on the Mount and more specifically the Beatitudes, and today I was able to grow just a little bit. Like many of you I'm sure, I've read these scriptures many times, but apparently I've been missing the true importance. Not too shocking, that seems to happen all too frequently. I always read over these Beatitudes as characteristics that would be good to work on. While that's still true, I gained a greater understanding on why.

"The Beatitudes are both characteristics of, and conditions enjoyed by, the exalted."

President Harold B. Lee said, "In his Sermon on the Mount the Master has given us somewhat of a revelation of his own character, which was perfect, or what might be said to be 'an autobiography, every syllable of which he had written down in deeds,' and in so doing has given us a blueprint for our own lives."

Hello! Why haven't I taken these Beatitudes more seriously? Why haven't I studied, and I mean really studied, what it really means to be poor in spirit, or to mourn, or to truly have a pure heart? If we are able to develop these characteristics we are able to experience true happiness and this is because we are able to become a reflection of our perfect Savior's own character.

Today I focused on meekness. Meekness is poise under pressure, and patience in the face of provocation. "Meekness is one of the clearest reflections of how closely a disciple's personality or makeup, or even reactions, mirror those of the Savior." Wow!

Today there was a lot more for me, but the bottom line is that understanding these Beatitudes is a gift. Through studying these things we can come to truly know our Savior. By coming to know him we can then become more like him. And that is what it is all about.

Oh, how I wish I hadn't wasted so much time on things that don't matter nearly as much as these characteristics...

Caden's Cute Cousins

So we drew names, as usual, for Christmas and just magically happened to get Tami and Wes. I still just can't figure out how that happened. :) Anyway, since they just moved into their amazing new home the walls are a little sparse, so we took family pictures and are putting them on canvas for them for Christmas.
I would only do this for these guys, and even then I was really nervous about actually getting a picture that they would like. Luckily, we-Bry and I both shot-got lots of ADORABLE pictures. I'm positive it's only because they are so photogenic. I just had to share a few of our favorites...and yes, what follows is only a few. :)

Thank you Kristen--stole this pose from you--and they loved it.

We had so much fun hanging out with the Larsen bunch over Thanksgiving. The only down side was listening to Tami's trash talking over card games. Caden told me just today that he can't wait for Evan to come back and spin him in his exersaucer and pet Makayla's pretty blond hair.

It's the Most Magical Time of the Year.

I love the Christmas season. I love the lights, and the music, and the wrapping presents, and the excitment in the air, and the decorations, and mostly I love how everything is so centered on our Savior and Redeemer. We kept with our family tradition, yes three years and still going strong, and decorated the Christmas Tree the day after Thanksgiving. It really was so much more fun with our baby there. To watch him enjoyed the day was great--even though he can't vocalize it, I could totally tell he did. Haha. :) Well, I do know for sure that Caden is in love with the lights...and wrapping paper.

He's also a big fan of tugging on the tree when he gets close to it. It's almost as though he knows he not supposed to because after he does he looks at me like..."Wasn't me, I'm innocent."

And with that, let the Holiday Cheer begin!

Revenge Is...

A Pan and A Spoon.
I wont name names, but a certain someone, who I do love, decided to sleep in til 11 everyday of break while I got up before 7 each day. I decided to teach Caden a fun little game. And don't even think of feeling sorry for that certain someone...it was 10:30 when I did this.

Let the Break Begin!

Thanksgiving break has started for the law students, so let the fun begin. We are planning on heading down to good old Scipio, UT with my sister to spend the holiday with my grandparents, aunt, and all my cousin's. Then we get to see Tami, Wes, and the kiddies! I figured I'd better get my blog up to date before leaving. It's nothing too exciting, but it's a glance into our lives lately which, of course, is mainly Caden.

Night 1:

* About 3 a.m.

Bryan: (wakes)Don't roll over!

Me: Huh?

Bryan: (pointing) The baby! You will roll over on him.

Me: He's not in here. Go to sleep.

Bryan: (sleeping like he never said a word.)

Night 2:

Bryan: AHHH! He's going to fall.

Me: Not again.

Bryan: Seriously he's right there!

Me: Where?

Bry: Caden is on the edge of the dresser.

Me: Oh yeah, I wonder who put him there.

Bryan: I don't know, but IT WASN'T ME. (Sleeps)

Night 3:

Bryan: WHAT IS THAT?

Me: You have got to be kidding me.

Bryan: What is that? (Hits my arm under the covers).

Me: That would be my arm?

Bryan: Are you positive?

Me: Yes.

Bryan: Okay, because it could have been a zombie. (Sleeps).

Caden loves his trucks already. Such a boy.He wants to sit with daddy and play with the controller every time Bry gets on his XBox.We cheered on our Cougars even though it was an extremely disappointing loss against the big rival. The last two years were much more fun to watch. Caden insisted on enjoying the game like this.

I say this was his look to the Utes; Bryan thinks it was his look to poor Max.

I got new fabric for a quilt I want to make Caden. I had it laid out to iron, and apparently Caden loved the bright colors. He scooted right over and made himself at home on it.

Playing with dad when he gets home from work.
These last two are for my mom. She started this quilt nearly two years before Caden got here, and spent so much time on it. Well, I hope she thinks was worth it because Caden loves it. He wouldn't turn around for me because he was too busy checking out all the animals...and then he'd pet them. Pretty funny.

As I reflect on this last year, I have SO much to be greatful for. We really are blessed and have found so much joy in the journey. I loved what President Monson said in that conference talk, " Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings."

Happy Thanksgiving dearest friends!!!

What am I in for?!?

Normally Caden takes three solid hour and a half naps every day. Lately, he has decided he is not a fan of the nap. So today in a desperate effort to get him to sleep I decided to try our bed. I laid next to him to say good night and put his nap time blanket next to his face just the way he likes. Well, apparently he wasn't ready to nap because he pulls it off his face, puts it on mine, giggles, and starts scooting away from me. Last time I checked he wasn't even 6 months old. It makes me wonder...what am I in for?!?

Sewing Mamas

Check out my apron!!! Wonderful Lesley came over last week and taught me how to do everything. I LOVE sewing. It's so much fun creating from scratch and feeling like you accomplished something at the end. Plus, I'm starting to really love cute fabric, which could be a minor problem with the current student budget. :) Caden watching us sew.

Lesley, Ella, Caden, and me with our finished products. Love it.

On to my next project...Christmas Eve PJ's.

21 Questions.

Thank you Andrea.
1.What is your husband's name? Bryan LeRoy Phipps
2. Who eats more? B
3. Who said, "I love you" first? B
4. Who is taller? B
5. Who is smarter? As much as I'd like to put me here, we all now it's Bryan. The man is a genius.
6. Who is more sensitive? That'd be me. You should see the video Bryan got when I was pregnant of me bawling after he cooked his pizza before mine. So inconsiderate.
7. Who does the laundry? Me. And it's getting old real fast having to fold Bryan's stupid dress socks the way he likes them. :) Only kidding.
8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me, it's got the night stand for all my junk.
9. Who pays the bills?B
10. Who cooks more? Lately I'd say it's me, but he's a far better cook.
11. Who is more stubborn? Me.
12. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? This is weird after the last question, but it's also me. Guaranteed Bryan is thinking, "Yeah because I am never wrong."
13. Who has more siblings? Bry has 4, I have 3.
14. Who wears the pants in the relationship? We share a leg.
15. What do you like to do together? Bry and I honestly do EVERYTHING together...just last night after we made dinner, I kicked his trash at XBox Worms :)
16. Who eats more sweets? Since my diabetes definitely him, but before that I could eat about 10 oreo's to his one.
17. How did you meet? We met my Junior year of college when he moved in with a bunch of my good guy friends. We were all out having a snowball fight. Bryan came out in his SANDALS...dang California boys...nails me and my best friend in the head and then goes back in side. I'll admit, I immediately liked his sarcastic little attitude.
18. Who asked whom out first? B. Remember the don't hang out talk by Elder Oaks? He used that on me. :)
19. Who kissed who first? Bryan kissed me in a castle during a rain storm. Unforgettable.
20. Who proposed? B
21. His best features and qualities? I love everything about this man. He is loving, humble yet very confident, beyond intelligent, creative, witty, HILARIOUS, determined, handsome, spiritual, and an incredible husband and father.

I tag: Jenn S., Erin, Katie S., Heather D., Lesley, & Tami. Have fun.

More for the Month of Gratitude.

Here we are

On earth together

It's you and I

God has made us fall in love

It's true I've really found

Someone like you

Will it say

The love you feel for me

Will it say

That you will be by my side

To see me through

Until my life is through

Well, in my mind

We can conquer the world

In love you and I

You and I, you and I

You and I is our song. It'd been awhile since I'd heard it, but as soon as I did I remembered why we fell in love with this song to begin with. To us it says that although everyday is not always easy our love is enough; enough to stand side by side through the bright times & the dark times, enough to conquer the world hand in hand. It's funny, on our wedding day we danced to this song and all I had was faith that our love would be enough, now I not only continue to have faith but I know through experience that our love truly will always be enough to get us through anything. Hearing this song, once again, made me grateful for the simple and not so simple trials we have had placed on our path.

(You and I: The early days)

On a lighter note...today I'm grateful for stupid people that make me laugh. Tonight we got to witness a lady who thought she had the ability to part the red sea of traffic on the busiest road in our city. She walks out into 50 mph traffic with her hand out telling people to stop and she nearly got hit 10 times. I'm sure she wasn't crazy; she just couldn't see the huge cross walk 5 feet ahead.

Gratitude For...

It's a month of gratitude and oh, we have so very much to be grateful for.*Gratitude for knowing, as I drove away for my part time job orientation on Saturday, that I would never again have to miss this little smile because I'm lucky enough to be able to work, for the remainder of law school only, at home while he is napping.*Gratitude for my Nikon so I can capture these little moments. Caden's favorite thing in the bath is to suck on a washcloth. He kicks and giggles when I hand it to him.

*Gratitude for wonderful people like Lesley who take the time to show me how to shoot in manual. I'm learning slowly, very slowly.*Gratitude for an incredible husband who works so hard for his family and treats me SO well. He planed a date night to Shoots this week and was brave enough to try the new BoBo platter. (I highly recommend it--you grill your food at your table--it was quite fun!) *Gratitude for learning twice as much because I got to hear the Sunday School lesson twice due to the fact that Bry was teaching and he used me as his trial run.

*Gratitude for our diet coke. We have spent the year trying to give it up but it just isn't happening.
*Gratitude for laundry basket rides that end in big hugs.
*Gratitude for friends who come over even though we feed their child way too much fondue chocolate and keep him up until eleven at night.

*Gratitude for far away friends that still have the ability to make you laugh and mean so much.

*Gratitude for aunts and uncles that give Caden so much love.

*Gratitude for the simply pleasures in life: rice cereal mixed with squash. After every bit he yells "MmMmM," and he gets very impatient when I don't shovel it in fast enough.

*Lastly, gratitude for family and friends who care that we keep them up-dated on our lives. Bryan woke me up the other night and says, "I forgot to tell you that my dad is extremely disappointed in you." "What'd I ever do to him?" "You didn't up-date the blog."

Picture Tag

I got tagged by Katie and Liz and I was so excited because it's picture tag. Take the 4th picture from your 4th folder and tell about it.

This is the birthday cake Bryan made me after we'd been dating for about a month. It was my favorite color, pink, and it was delicious! He was the most thoughtful boyfriend in the world.

So then I looked on our myBook to see what the 4th and 4th pic was and I about died laughing. I'll REALLY regret putting this up later but I'm sure everyone will get a good laugh because I look like such an idiot.

Three words: Hoggatt Family Vacation.

July 2005. After walking around Washington DC for about 12 hours in 500 degree humidity I had had it with the statues and pictures, so this was the beautiful pose I gave my dad. Awh, ridiculous.

I tag: Kristen, Andrea, Lesley, Tami, Sheila, and Stephanie P. ...and anyone else who wants to do this!

happy halloween

Special thank you to Tami our costume designer. You are the best.At our church Halloween party--Dr. House, Dr. Cameron, and the Frog. Bry spent forever "growing" his 5 o'clock shadow. Dr. House sharing his perscription drugs with our child.Us and our good friends, The Pauls. Caden and Reagan are just 5 weeks apart and she's a doll.

More pictures of Halloween to come from Carly of our fabulous Halloween Party last night...