Climbing

This little girl of mine is learning to climb. She can get up pretty easily but is still learning how to get down. Kind of scary but super cute.

Six

What do you think of your mother? For me, whenever I think of her, I cannot help but admire her strength, determination, hard work and unconditional love. I know we all have great things to say about our mothers, how special they are in our lives and how we all love them. Are we doing something about it? Are we just saying, I love you to them and that’s it? Is that enough? Do you remember the time that you suddenly need your mother? Maybe because you had a bad dream or if you did something wrong that your dad will for sure get mad. Remember how she embraced you, kissed you and  said don’t worry, everything will be fine, I am here.  And then, you know you are safe. They shape us, correct us, and lead us in the right paths. My mother stopped holding my hand on my path 6 years ago today. She isn't hear to be my example anymore. I am trying with all my might to remember her example and embrace. I would give more than anything to have her hug me and tell me that I'm a good mother, that I'm a good wife, that I'm doing ok and what I'm not doing ok in will be ok. We live a face paced life where time goes way too fast. Make every second count. Cherish the time with your mothers. I wish I knew to cherish mine even more. Take more pictures. Spend more time. Make more memories. Write it all down. Do it now while you have the opportunity. Always remember. I know I will.

Forget me nots

General Relief Society meeting 2011.
Yummy food.
Great company.
Inspiring messages.

There is something inspiring and sublime about the little forget-me-not flower, said President Dieter F. Uchtdorf during the Church's General Relief Society Meeting on Sept. 24.

"I hope it will be a symbol of the little things that make your lives joyful and sweet," he said.
Speaking to a capacity congregation in the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City, President Uchtdorf — second counselor in the First Presidency — used the forget-me-not flower, which has five petals, as a metaphor to illustrate five things he would like the women in the Church to remember.

 "Never forget that you must be patient and compassionate with yourselves, that some sacrifices are better than others, that you need not wait for a golden ticket to be happy. Please never forget that the 'why' of the gospel of Jesus Christ will inspire and uplift you. And never forget that your Heavenly Father knows, loves and cherishes you."

During his remarks, President Uchtdorf asked Latter-day Saint women worldwide to not forget five things:

First, forget not to be patient with yourself. "I want to tell you something and I hope you will take it the right way. God is fully aware that you and I are not perfect," he said. "Let me add: God is fully aware that the people you think are perfect are not."
President Uchtdorf said people often spend time and energy comparing themselves to others — usually comparing their weaknesses to others' strengths.
"This drives us to create expectations for ourselves that are impossible to meet. As a result, we never celebrate our good efforts, because they seem to be less than what someone else does. …
"Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself."

Second, forget not the difference between a good sacrifice and a foolish sacrifice. "An acceptable sacrifice is when we give up something good for something of far greater worth," said President Uchrtdorf.
There are so many good things to do, he continued, noting that a person cannot do them all.
"Our Heavenly Father is most pleased when we sacrifice something good for something far greater, in an eternal perspective. Sometimes, that may even mean nurturing small but beautiful forget-me-not flowers instead of a large garden of exotic blooms."
Third, forget not to be happy now. Recalling the children's story “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” President Uchtdorf said people were looking for a golden ticket in a candy bar. Unfortunately, the candy bar itself became an utter disappointment if it did not contain a gold ticket, he explained.
"So many people today are waiting for their own golden ticket — the ticket that they believe holds the key to the happiness they have always dreamed about. For some, the golden ticket may be a perfect marriage; for others, a magazine-cover home; or perhaps, freedom from stress and worry. There is nothing wrong with righteous yearnings."
The problem, he added, comes when a person puts their happiness on hold as they wait for some future event — or gold ticket — to appear.
"The happiest people I know are not those who find their golden ticket; they are those who, while in the pursuit of worthy goals, discover and treasure the beauty and sweetness of the everyday moments."
Fourth, forget not the 'why' of the gospel. Sometimes, he said, Church members focus on what the Lord wants them to do and how to do it, but forget the why.
"My dear sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come."
He said the gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way.
"While understanding the ‘what' and the ‘how’ of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the ‘why.’ When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight. It becomes precious and sweet."
Fifth, forget not that the Lord loves you. President Uchtdorf said as a child, when he looked at little forget-me-nots, he sometimes felt like that flower — small and insignificant. "I wondered if I would be forgotten by my family or by my Heavenly Father."
To the worldwide audience of Relief Society sisters, President Uchtdorf added, "You are not forgotten, sister, wherever you are and whatever the circumstances.
"No matter how dark your days may seem, no matter how insignificant you may feel, no matter how overshadowed you think you may be, your Heavenly Father has not forgotten you. In fact, He loves you, with an infinite love. …
"The love of God and the power of the restored gospel are redemptive and saving. If you will only allow His divine love into your life, it can dress any wound, heal any hurt, and soften any sorrow.
"My dear Relief Society sisters, you are closer to heaven that you suppose. You are destined for more than you can possibly imagine. Continue to increase in faith and personal righteousness. Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life. Cherish the gift of activity in this great and true Church. Treasure the gift of service in the blessed organization of Relief Society. Continue to strengthen homes and families. Continue to seek out and help others who need your and the Lord's help."

Babysitting

Haylee and I are baby swapping. One, to be able to go out with just our husbands. And two, to be able to go anywhere and do anything we want hands free! Ben and I watched Matthew and Lindsay and had the best time. I'm excited for Eliza to learn to share and get along with other kids. Here's to date night!

Sorry for the terrible picture quality from my camera phone...

Lawson love

Lawson is one year older than Eliza. He is her protector. Whenever she goes towards stairs he is sure to let us know so she won't fall. When she is in dangers way, he moves her. It's pretty precious. I snapped this picture and think it's very telling of Lawson's dutiful love for Eliza.

Red and blue

Red Lobster all you can eat shrimp with the Bott's is quite the event. I don't like shrimp, with the exception of a few coconut shrimp drown in the yummy sauce, so I don't look forward to it as much as the guys. This year we went on the night of the BYU vs. Utah football game. We watched it on their tv and laughed the night away. Eliza had fun dipping and eating her popcorn shrimp. She wasn't so sure about the live lobsters though. Best part of the night...go Utes!

Downtown

I used to love going shopping and to lunch downtown. I still enjoy it but it doesn't happen very often. We ended up at the Blue Iguana for dinner then walked around. Eliza had quite the time. She walked all the way from the restaurant to the car holding our hands. I told Ben it was my dream come true. Then we let her walk around and explore. She got super muddy but loved it. I love the picture of her leaning on the planter. She loves to lean. Ben says she's putting out her vibes.

1 Year Checkup

I have never taken pictures of Eliza at the doctor. So, for her one year check up I thought it was time. She looked so cute on the scales. The first time she was on those scales she was under six pounds. Tiny little baby who lost too much weight! Look at her now!!! 22 pounds and going strong. She is 90th percentile for height and 70th for weight. Maybe she'll be tall and skinny like her mom! I'm hilarious.

The nurse had to prick her toe to get blood for an iron test. Eliza didn't make a peep (but cried her eyes out with the shots) and LOVED the bandaid. So much that she took it off and almost choked on it when the doctor was checking her. I swore to her I'm a good mom! She smiled. The doctor said Eliza is pretty much perfect. I'd have to agree.

Eliza's First Birthday Party

We had such a fun time planning Eliza's birthday party. We debated themes and decorations and favors and food and so on. In the end, the theme was Eliza! We spent hours and hours planning and planting flowers and cooking and decorating. We had our backyard all set up and went inside to get the food ready. Our "vision" of the party was coming together. I thought for one sec, hmmm maybe we should take a picture, but decided to get all the food out then take pictures. We were inside making chicken salad sandwiches, lemon tarragon pasta, spinach salad, fruit kabobs, cupcakes and homemade peach ice cream. Among the chopping and stirring we saw our picture banner (just about 300 pictures strung around our entire backyard fence) start to wave as the wind picked up. We then heard a balloon or two pop. And then downpour. We weren't sure what to do. We had just hoped for good weather and not planned an alternative. After I stood there and cried (and cried and cried) we decided to bring in as much as we could. Ben moved furniture out of the house to the garage and we moved the tables into the house. The balloons around the fence, the newly planted mums and the picture banner didn't make it inside. Our little living room couldn't accommodate quite the same as our backyard but it turned out and the party went on! Luckily the rain cleared so the kids could go outside and play. All that mattered in the end was our sweet little Eliza turned one! She loves people. She LOVES kids, especially her cousins. I'm sure she didn't know that everyone was there for her, but she did have a lot of fun. Our house was a disaster from corner to corner but every little crumb of cake on the floor was worth it. Happy Birthday Eliza!

We wanted a cute way to tell people they didn't need to

bring a present. We found this picture and it just came to me!

The food, the decorations, the candy box favors, the 

personalized water bottles... all a little damp but all survived!

Eliza eating dinner and showing off the decorations.

The parents, grands and greats, cousins, aunts and uncles.

The sidewalk chalk.

The cake.

Eliza watching daddy light the candle. 

Eliza clapping to everyone singing happy birthday.

Eliza showing how old she is.

The cake smash.

The cake mess.

The tired little girl.

The end.

Birthday Dinner

After frosting a billion cupcakes (that's what if felt like at least) we were starving and still had to take Eliza out for her first birthday dinner ever. We ended up at Mimi's. It was delish and Eliza had a fun time. I know she doesn't know it's her birthday but I think she could tell something was different. At least I hope so.

Cupcakes

Cindy is my friend and former young women leader. We spent so much time at her house eating mac and cheese and purple juice. Oh the memories. Her daughter Jess got married on Eliza's birthday. She asked me to help with cupcakes. It was a lot of frosting and a lot of sprinkles and ended up being a lot of fun. They had a carnival wedding which Eliza loved! She thought it was for her birthday I'm sure... She even got a number 1 balloon hat from the balloon boy. Congrats Jess and Bent and Happy Birthday Eliza!

Waking up

Ben was home when Eliza woke up on her birthday so he blew up some balloons and put them in her room. She loved it! It was such a fun morning with her. I cannot believe that my little baby is one year old. I've had a few tears thinking about it. She is so precious. I love every thing about her. I am so thankful to have her as my daughter. Happy birthday baby bug!