Spring Fever

Yesterday was such a nice day, so we decided to take Emily to the park. The girl LOVES to be outside!! I have a feeling we're going to be regulars at the park now.

Everytime we go to the park, I swear she gets more and more brave! I think we've got a roller coaster girl on our hands!

CHEESE!!!!

I thought this was cute.

Sometimes I wish she would just smile instead of being silly!! She sure is cute no matter what face she pulls. What a fun time! We ended our celebration of the beginnings of spring by grilling hamburgers. Nothing says warm weather like grilled burgers!!! Now that we've gotten a taste of the warm stuff....it's probaby going to snow again!!!!

Potty training.....yeah, not so much

I have been wondering if it’s time to start potty training Emily. There’s a checklist that I found that tells you if they’re ready or not and according to it, she should be ready to go. So, we brought home a little seat that fits on the big potty, thinking that she would be thrilled to sit on it like mommy and daddy do. YEAH RIGHT!!! I asked her if she wanted to sit on it and she was excited…until I took off her diaper. That’s when she realized that you do it with a bare bum…she HATES to be naked. Let’s just say, she screamed the whole time. So we abandoned that idea. Next, we came home with a little people potty. I think she understands that poop goes in there…but not HER poop! Her babies can poop in it, all her stuffed animals can poop in it…but not Emily! I guess we’ll wait for awhile. In the mean time, we’re just going to let her play with her potty (she calls it a “Pot”) and see what happens. She loves sitting on it...with the lid down and her clothes still on her body. I have a feeling that this is going to take some time.

"Where's the poop?"

She was very excited this morning, when she remembered her new "pot." She insisted on sitting on it while eating her toast and watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

I had the nerve to ask her if she wanted to take off her diaper and try going potty...she wasn't very amused.

Wouldn't that be great....a nice piece of toast and some cartoons while you're sitting on the pot...maybe she's got the right idea.

A bunch of rambles...

Lately I haven’t been sleeping very much. Could it be the daily dose of Mountain Dew? I’m not sure, but that’s not something I’m willing to give up right now. It seems as though I go through spurts of way to much thinking and not enough sleeping. Maybe if I can ramble through my mindless, pointless thoughts, sleep will eventually come. So, bear with me, okay?

I am obsessed with disasters. You know earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, ice storms, blizzards, ect. I lay awake wondering what I would do if one of those things were to happen. What would I grab? Where would I go? I almost wish something like that would happen around here…Idaho is a very boring place, weather wise. I’m not saying that I want a terrible disaster that takes lives and destroys everything…just a little excitement.

I have really been thinking a lot about food storage and being prepared…could it be because of my obsession with terrible things happening, I don’t know. I like to think it’s because I’m trying to do what we’ve been counseled, but I’m sure it’s because I’ve gotten myself so worked up over what could happen. I’ve decided that a little excitement in the weather department wouldn’t be very much fun if we didn’t have food, water, and the ever important Mountain Dew.

Have you noticed that I love Mountain Dew? I know I shouldn’t drink it because of the whole caffeine thing and the being bad for your teeth stuff, and all the other things smart people say, but I just can’t help myself…I NEED it! Some call it an addiction, I call it my guilty pleasure. I was doing really good about staying away from my friend, until I had Emily, and then the utter and total exhaustion became more than I could bear. Let’s just say the greenish, yellowish yummy-ness helps me. Throw in a bag of peanut M&M's and that makes for a great day! Do I sound like a druggie?

I also lay awake at night worrying about having more kids. This may sound dumb to some, but I feel guilty for wanting more children. There was a time, not too long ago, when I prayed with all I had to just be able to have one child. Well, we were blessed to have Emily, so now I feel a little greedy for going back to Heavenly Father and asking for more, when He’s given me all I’ve ever wanted. I know that asking our Heavenly Father for more children isn’t really being greedy, but that's just how I feel sometimes. But, on the other hand, I worry about Emily being an only child. I want her to have brothers and sisters to grow up with.

Geoff is such a great husband! He works so hard so I can stay home with Emily. Not only does he tell me that he loves me, he shows me, too. He’s always willing to help out around the house or with Emily. I don’t think he realizes how much I appreciate that. I need to be better about telling him thank you and letting him know how much I love him. He has so many talents and I really hope Emily turns out more like him than me. I often wonder why he chose boring me...but I sure am grateful that he did!

I’ve noticed that I really like to take notes on things. I have so many notebooks filled with notes. Notes about scrapbooking, notes about food storage, quotes, stories, thoughts, recipes, ideas, cleaning tips, just to name a few. The only problem is, I take all these notes but I don’t do anything about all the stuff I’ve learned or want to remember. I guess I’m saving all of this information for the blizzard that traps me in my home for weeks…maybe then I’ll do something about all of it.

I love scrapbooking! The only problem is that I’m not very good at it. Well, I think I do okay, but they never turn out all fancy like they should. I’m not very bold…it really makes me nervous to cut my pictures or punch holes…you know, anything permanent. Plus, I don't want it to look dated and stupid in 10 years. I have these cute papers and ribbons, but I just save them and use all the boring safe stuff.

I think my daughter is so beautiful! I love to just sit and look at her and I’m amazed at how pretty she is. I have no idea where she got her looks…(I know you other mothers out there think your children are the most beautiful, but have seen my Emily? HELLO!!)

I really have been letting people get to me. Whenever I get my feelings hurt, it’s all I can think about. I replay in my mind over and over what I would say to that person if I had the chance. I think this has become my main obsession lately. This is really the source of my sleeplessness. It’s my fault, I know. I also know that allowing your feelings to get hurt is your own choice, but that’s easier said than done sometimes. I'm not very good about letting things "roll off my back".

Well, thank you for allowing me to ramble to all of you. Hopefully this will ease my mind a bit…I’ve got a lot more stuff rolling around in that head of mine. I’m sure there will be a Rambles #2 soon.

So, what do you think about? What keeps you up at night?

10 Secrets to Being a Happy Mother of Young Children

So, I've been going through a stack of old LDS Living magazines that I recently found. I'm loving this magazine and seriously thinking about renewing my subscription. Anyway, I came across this article and loved it so much that I had to share it with all of you young mothers. (If any of you have saved these magazines, it's in the March/April 2007 issue.

1. Make Getting Sufficent Sleep a Top Priority
To me, this is so important. I never realized how much I value sleep, until I didn't get any. When I am well rested, I am much more patient and much more pleasant to be around. (Ask my husband!!)

2. Be a One-of-A-Kind Mom
"There has never been another mother like you, not once on the face of the earth. So, make the most of your uniqueness as a mother." I love this one! I think all of us mothers are always comparing ourselves to every other mother out there. We need to realize that we each have different talents and abilities and share these with our children.

3. Vent Your Frustrations in Healthy Doses
This one talks about how important it is to vent when we feel our frustration levels rising. It will lighten our loads and open our minds to possible solutions to the problem. It says, "When you find your frustration level building, consider a moment for prayer, expressing your feelings in your journal, or picking up the phone and calling a friend or family member to seek a listening ear."

4. Ask for What You Need
"As moms we sometimes get caught up in the mode of thinking we have to do it all ourselves. But the truth is, if we muscle our way through, insisting we do it all alone, we are headed for a burnout. Husbands are often more capable than we give them credit." This is something I really need to work on. I often feel guilty when Geoff tries to help me.

5. Take Time Off
"Few people expect themselves to be 'on duty' all their waking hours and even some of their 'sleeping hours,' but most moms seem to expect themselves to be on duty every waking moment of their children's lives. However, almost every mom benefits from having a bit of uninterrupted quiet time tucked into each day..."

6. Acknowledge the Good You Do
Even though it's nice to hear praise over all we do, we really can't expect it from our little kids. "...pause and acknowledge to myself what I am doing well-to say, whether to myself or in my journal, things like: 'Good job, you got all the laundry done' or 'Hey, that was a good move-dropping that endless to-do list to read to your toddler.'"

7. Work Smarter, Not Harder
Basically, we need to be more organized with how we run our homes. Cooking bulk meals or using a calender system are ways that can help.

8. Energize with Exercise
I think this one is extremely important...even though I not very good about doing it. I'm going to turn over a knew leaf, and really try. Everyone know that when you exercise you have more energy. And what does every mother need? MORE ENERGY!!! We really need to make it a top priority to put ourselves first...just for 30 minutes a day, and exercise. Not only will it help us, but it teaches our kids healthy habits.

9. Be Sure To Do What Matters Most to You
"One of the big secrets of motherhood is that we can't do it all. But another important secret is that we can usually find a way to do the things that matter most to us if we will consciously let go of the things that matter less. So, what matters most to you as a mother?"

10. Give Thanks for All There Is to Love About Being a Mother
"Take time every day to pause and reflect on what you love the most about being the mother to your children. A mother who recognizes and gives thanks for her blessings is indeed a mother who knows happiness."

Sorry, for the novel, but I just loved this artcle and I hope you did to!! So, to you great mothers out there...what are your secrets to being a happy mother?????

Our 7th Anniversary

On February 16, 2002, Geoff and I were sealed for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah temple. What a wonderful day! There are many things that I remember about that day, but one that has also stuck out in my mind is something that our sealer said to us. He said that at this moment we think we love each other as much as we possibly could, and he just laughed to himself. He went on to say that as we look back in 5 years, 10 years, and so on, we will have realized that our love for one another is stronger now, and has grown so much deeper than on our wedding day when we thought we were so much in love. As I look back and remember that amazing day, I can't help but laugh to myself...he was so right!!! In these last seven years, we have experienced so many things that have brought us closer as husband and wife and most importantly, closer to our Heavenly Father. I love my husband deeply and I am so grateful for him. He is an incredible person and I feel honored to say that I am his wife. How grateful I am for the gift of eternal marriage and eternal families. What a blessing!!! Geoff, I love you more than you will ever know. Thanks for an amazing seven years and I look forward to all the great things instore for us. I love you!!!

I love you!!!

This is Emily's way of signing "I love you." Grandpa Meredith has been trying to teach her the proper sign, and this is what she's come up with. Now, every time we leave either grandparents house, she give hugs and kisses, blows kisses, and then does her I love you sign. We're pretty impressed that she can twist her fingers like that!!

Live for today...

I know that some of you have heard about the trials that our little family has had to face these past few weeks. I just want those of you who have shared your concerns, your love, and your experiences, to know that we love and appreciate you more than you’ll ever know. I can’t begin to explain the pain and suffering that has plagued us. But yet, we have been taught so much! I can honestly say that the peace that has flooded our home and our hearts has been overwhelming. One of the most important things that I have learned is that my Heavenly Father and my Savior love me and my little family!!! I also been reminded that there is a plan for me and that no matter the pain and suffering that I have to go through, I have not been forgotten. I have learned to hold my head high, love with all I have, and live for today. I found a few quotes that I have really come to love.

“There is only one day that you and I have to live and that’s today. There is nothing we can do about yesterday except repent, and there may be no tomorrows. This thing for us to do when we arise from our beds as God gives us a new day, is to pray that whatever comes to our hands, we will do it to the best of our ability.” --Harold B. Lee

"On my way to visit the Jameses the other evening, I saw a wheat field that appeared to be greener and taller than the others. Thinking about it for awhile, I concluded that occasionally some loving farmer drives over the field with his tractor and pumps manure all over it. I thought, 'My, it's just like life. Here we are minding our own business, growing our little hearts out. We're really quite green, somewhat productive and very sincere. When out of the blue, life deals us a dirty one, and we're up to our eyebrows in manure. We, of course, conclude that life as we have known it has just ended and will never be the same again. But one day, when the smell and the shock are gone, we find ourselves greener and more productive than we have been.' Unfortunately, no matter how often we go through these growing experiences, we are never able to appreciate the sound of the tractor or the smell of the manure." --Harold W. Wood

Anyway, thank you to my truest friends and my loving family for being there for us in our hour of need. You helped make a devastating experience much easier to bear!! From now on I am really going to try to make each day special and be the best I can be. (I’m also really going to try to start appreciating the smell of manure, too.)

Our Greatest Blessings...