I'm a Survivor...

These last two weeks, Evalie has had the opportunity to spend extra time with her friend Natalie, and her sister, Becca. Last week we babysat them. They had a great time playing house and tea party, eating grilled cheese sandwiches and enjoying The Great Fairy Rescue movie. That was just a practice for this week. We had the girls overnight, last night. It was a success and we were so relieved. Becca, Evalie, and Natalie slept like pros. Charlie had some difficult moments. I guess he knew that I would get him the moment he made a peep. So he kept peeping. But we survived and the house looks great. I guess I can handle this sleep over thing.

Sweet hour of prayer...

Evalie woke up too early this morning. She went to the bathroom and while she was pulling her pants up, her daddy flushed the toilet. Big no, no. Evalie went crazy. She was so upset. Crying/screaming, she was so mad there was no more "pee in her butt" that she could flush. All her screaming woke up Charlie in a now sad mood. And he leaves for work. So while I am dealing with a sad boy and trying not be agitated by being woken up by a screaming fit, I mention to Evalie that her friends cannot come play if she is going to behave like this so maybe she should go into her room and say a prayer, and ask Heavenly Father to help her feel better and be happy. So she did. She walked into her room and prayed to be happy and for her family. I was so touched. The absolutely best part, which I knew would happen, is she was happy for the whole rest of the day. Not a moments sadness. She had a great time with her friends tonight. They played and watched movies, ate dinner and popcorn, they read stories and played doll house. It was pretty much a great day.

I pretend to be crafty...

 How cute is this little man.

 This is the blanket and elephant I made for Charlie's room. I am trying to add some color in his life.

 

This elephant took way too long, and it gave me hives making it. So I apologize in advance, I am not going to make anymore.

I am so glad I am not a perfectionist. 

Then I am getting some of these made and they will go on the wall. So cute.

I am so excited.

Jesus wants me for a...

Last Sunday Evalie became a Sunbeam at church. She knew exactly where she was going and what was expected of her. I am in primary so I got to see her in there the whole time. It was very special to me. She kept asking me "Mom, what are you doing?" She was wondering why I was in there. I was so proud of her and all her little friends. 

Why do you think they picked a Sunbeam? I think its represents warmth and light. Which is exactly what Evalie brings to me. She has always been a sunbeam.

It's kinda our thing now...

Five years ago, yesterday, at Village Centre Cinemas right after watching The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, Jeffrey got down on one knee pulled out the most beautiful ring I have ever seen and asked me to marry him. All teary eyed I said yes. There is a lot more detail to that story, but that is the synopsis. That was a very special day to me. A very special day. Yesterday, when we realized what day it was, we decided to go watch The Dawn Treader at the theatre. Just the two of us. (Thank You, Dustin for babysitting). It was a special time for us to think back and remember and wonder what the younger versions would think of us older versions of ourselves. Are we where we wanted ourselves to be. Fortunately we didn't make long term goals back then. (Wouldn't want to have too high of expectations for ourselves.) But as I thought about it I realized we are exactly where we would want to be, together, and still in love.

9 months old

Charlie is 9 months old now. I have been waiting to post a picture because he is a boy and much more daring than Evalie. Because of this in the last week he has had 2 black eyes, a bloody nose, and cut his lip twice. I am telling ya this kid is going to keep me on my toes and my first aid kit equipped. He weighs 18 lbs 11oz He is 28inches long. He has 6 teeth and uses them regularly, either for biting or eating everything in sight. At dinner, if he is not being constantly fed, he moans and cries. He crawls everywhere, but he does like to stand and walk along furniture. He has started initiating conversation and taking turns on conversation. He is working on buh (bye) and dah (dad) but not for those purposes. Sleeping through the night is a challenge for him. Crying it out, does not work for him. He hates his car seat. He loves nursing. He has an exceptional smile. It is amazing to Jeff and I the feelings he creates in us when we see him smile. I took this picture of him because I took this exact picture of Evalie when she was 9 months.

isn't she so cute!

 

Who I am.

I always like to start fresh. Clean the slate. Look through life with a whole new pair of eyes. Redirect my course and go full steam ahead. I have big hopes for 2011. 2010 was our year of endurance. 2011 I hope to be our year of expanding my limits.  Pushing myself to see how far I can go with motherhood, as a friend, as a wife.
I will:
Find answers to cures, personal struggles, answers to questions about ourselves, who we are and how far we can push ourselves. Results to trials of the past, to see if the work has paid off.

Put myself on a higher spiritual plane. I am exercising my faith and knowledge of the atonement. I am finding solace, peace, and understanding in regular temple attendance. I am relying more on the power of priesthood blessings.

I will not:
be confined or bound by limitations.
be subject to sorrow because I lack.
dwelling on the flaws of my body or myself, but rather strengthening where I have weakness.

Instead of looking at others and wishing I could do what they do, or be more like them. I will be who I am and do what I do.