Props to the Grad!

After a long road of part-time semesters, nights in the library, and mounds of homework, my hubby graduated last week, and I couldn't be more proud! This last semester he started and grew his own business, helped care for his baby girl, started a new job, commuted from Orem to Bountiful 3X a week, and got all A's! Way to go smartie! I am so thankful to have married someone who values education as I do, and is willing to work for what he wants, even if we have to be really poor to get it.

Now, it's on to GMAT and grad school applications; I'll go with you wherever our next adventure takes us!

Luckiest guy in the world!!!

So, Elsie has gotten into this habit of sleeping in our bed. Ok, so it is probably a mixture of her wanting to be in our bed and me not wanting to take her back into her crib after Ally nurses her, but none the less it is what she loves now. So last night after she ate I took her and put her on the outside of the bed and we all feel asleep, me in the middle. A little later at around 4:30 AM almost in unison both Ally and Elsie scootched more to the middle which was where a happy daddy/husband was found sandwiched between his two favorite gals.

Elsie really is becoming such a hoot. She recently learned how to crawl and has quickly found a love for everything she shouldn't have. She lights me up when I walk in the door from work or school and gives me a big smile with outstretched arms.

Ally is truly amazing. She is so dedicated and has really made my life so much happier these past years. She is such a good mommy and is the best friend of our little daughter. She has grown so much spiritually over these past eight months. She literally lights up when she is filled with the spirit and radiates that spirit into our little apartment to make it feel more like home. She is beautiful and wonderful and adds a lot of style to this little cowboy's life.

They really are great, and I was so happy to be uncomfortable and sandwiched between the two of them last night.

Need some inspiration?

About 3 months ago I stumbled across THIS blog. This beautiful couple has a daughter, Preslee, who died at 18 months after falling into a canal and drowing. The great thing about Ashley is her positive yet realistic attitude, and her faith in our Heavenly Father's plan. I love stories like this of people who show courage and faith in times of great trial, and yet, it is the faith we all should have. I read a quote a few weeks ago that said something like "Courage doesn't always mean roaring loudly, sometimes it just means having the strength to get up and fight another day."
I am very grateful for her example of always getting up to fight another day, for showing gratitude in a time of adversity, and for having faith in Heavenly Father's plan for her.

Family Pictures

My fabulous mom took some family pictures of us up in Huntsville. Our sweet Elsie was so enthralled with her surroundings, she didn't smile for one picture. Luckily she was all sorts of happy for her 6 month pictures 2 days later. I may be a bit biased, but isn't she stunning?!

Best Girlfriends

I have always been an on-the-move girl, so the adjustment to staying home with Elsie has been a little difficult. I was frustrated with being cooped up at first, but as she is growing and learning, I am finding much joy in our time at home. We are getting to be best girlfriends, and actually have a lot in common.

* We love doing pilates and "feeling the burn" together.

* We visit fabric and craft stores and bounce style and decor ideas off each other.

* We both have a serious addiction to all things pink.

* We could sit at the piano for hours playing and enjoying sweet melodies.

* We love to cuddle and take naps together

Sorry dad, but this is one loop you're out of. I am so thankful Heavenly Father gave me a baby girl to play with and laugh with, who helps me feel the spirit every day.

two years and a baby later...

8*8*10-- Can it really be that two whole years have past since I married my true love in the Bountiful Temple? Four moves, 137 spaghetti dinners, 4,985 kisses, and one baby later, I am ready to take on anything with our little family. Being married for eternity is a greater blessing than I ever could have imagined. I am thankful to have someone by my side to laugh and cry with, who will always lift me up when I am down. Alan is the patient, kind, hardworking, humorous man of my dreams. His not only puts up with me, but loves and accepts me with all of my flaws. He is so wonderful with our daughter and I look forward to many great years to come. Bring on graduate school, another move, more babies, and everything else! "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."

** Elsie is getting to be such a chunk, so my mom to a few pictures so I can always remember her fabulous rolls.

A bit of sass

I love those delicious cheeks!

Family Picnic

Happy friends posing for a family pic.

P.S. Elsie is happier than she looks

Just chillin' on the blanket. Loving being outside.

We promise we aren't mean parents.

She loves to fly...

Shout out to my little, much taller brother.

My little brother Garret wrote yesterday that he has finished one third of his mission in Piura, Peru. We are a lot alike, and that caused a little bit of head-butting growing up. We have both grown a lot, and are much better friends now. I was thinking about how our rooms shared a wall, and late at night I would be in bed, and he would start playing guitar. I would bang on the wall for him to stop. He is very good, and I should have just listened, or gone in and talked with him. I'm making up for it now by writing him every week.

He is a wonderful missionary who truly loves the Peruvian people. In his last e-mail he mentioned how awesome it is to think that he is a son of the Man who made the stars. It is wonderful to see his example of humility in his realization of each of our divine potential. Even though you won't read this Garret, we sure do love you!

**Notice that his companion is basically a midget compared to him. I'm sure everyone there thinks he is a giant!

The faces of Elsie

We went and got Elsie's 3 month pictures today. I'm so glad we got at least one big smile picture, but each one of these pictures is a classic Elsie face. She is such a character! Life was so boring without her. Alan and I could just sit and stare at those peepers all day!

New things

Elsie is learning new things everyday. I love to watch her grow and learn. Below are some pictures showcasing her new talents and abilities:

Making animals out of cloud shapes with dad.

Smiling, wiggling, and generally flailing about. Poker face anyone?

Accountability

So I am back down to my pre-pregnancy weight (thanks to Elsie and her incredibly large appetite.) But... that doesn't say much. I would be very happy if I could lose 15 more pounds by the end of the summer. I try to eat healthy and exercise, but I have a big sweet tooth and don't like running one bit, and with Elsie to take care of, I can come up with so many excuses. SO... I am commiting to both those things listed above, and think it will help to have some accountability by posting it here where everyone can see. First step- not eating refined sugar. Day one is going pretty well, although it is only noon. Wish me luck!

Elsie Angel

Yesterday we were able to bless our dear angel daughter. I am so thankful for the 14 worthy priesthood holders who stood in the circle with my husband to bless Elsie. She looked so precious in the outfit grandma and I made for her. Poor thing got shots the day before, had a sleepless night, and slept through the whole church and family lunch. No one believes me that she ever wakes up, but after everything was over and we went home, her eyes popped open, and she smiled at me for an hour. She just likes saving smiles for mom and dad. It was a wonderful day, and I'm so glad we got to share it with our families.

Also, my dear sister Cara came down to spend the weekend with us. She also watched Elsie while we went on a date on Friday. While she was here, Elsie never cried more than 20 seconds without being picked up and cuddled by Cara. She loves her aunt! Thanks for coming Cara!

How can you resist this face?

Mini person picture

Elsie is getting so big, and is starting to love all the attention on her. I love to have her sit on my lap. We just stare at each other and make faces. She smiles so much, but whenever I put a camera in her face, the smile goes away. Here are some faces I have been able to capture. ** On a side note, can you see how long her gorgeous eyelashes are? She will never need mascara!

My two favorites

I love Alan. I love Elsie. Combined, there is nothing better. Alan is such a patient, loving father to our daughter. He loves to make her smile. He loves to cuddle her. We love to take her on walks and watch her desperately try to not fall asleep. It is a beautiful sight to see them together.

"All things denote there is a God"

Yesterday I was reading in Alma 30, when he testifies to Korihor that all things on this earth testify there is a God. I do know that this earth was created so perfectly, that there is no way it happened by chance. Elsie is just another testimony builder that God and Christ are real. She is perfect, and I know that the gift of precious babies is another piece of proof that our Heavenly Father loves us.

The joys of being a mother

"The love of a true mother comes nearer to being like the love of God than any other kind of love." -Joseph F. Smith

I sit here with my dear Elsie beside me. She is kicking her legs and arms wildly about. Her strawberry blonde hair is sticking straight up in the back, and her beautiful blue eyes are staring at me. She is so sweet and innocent. I love being her mother. I love the smiles she gives while we are laying in bed in the morning. I love how relaxed she gets when we give her baths. I love to calm her cries when I pick her up. I am truly grateful for the divine calling in being a mother, and the opportunity to continue on with Alan in building our eternal family.

My Amazing Wife!!!

Each morning I am amazed that my wonderful wife can still put on a smile. I know she is uncomfortable and that she didn’t sleep very well last night, or the last 20 night for that matter. She works literally all day from the moment she wakes up to the second she crawls back into bed. She does all this mind you while six months pregnant. But it’s not just that she is surviving. She is radiant with a fire and a passion. It might be a love for me ;), but I doubt it. This fire showed up in her a couple of months ago.

Ally has so many goals in her life, professional, educational, and spiritual. The fire that I see though and desire that shines through brightest is her desire to be a mother. She gets so excited about dressing her up and cuddling her and making everything in the world pink. She is amazing and it is such a challenge to keep up with her. Although right now she may not think so, she is more beautiful than she has ever been to me. I know she is going to be an amazing mom. I just hope I can at least keep up.

P.S. Ally is going to school full-time, working, and tending her sometimes/most times needy husband. INCREDIBLE!!!