Callings

So February ended up being a bit interesting as far as church callings.  As you all knew I had what I believed to be the BEST calling ever! Well I was released as the YW 2nd counselor a couple weeks ago and called into the nursery. I don't know that I've mentioned this before but I love the nursery. It was my favorite calling before I was put into the YW... it was a hard brake that came way out of left field. I was really upset about the whole ordeal. (Especially when I started scrubbing nasty nursery toys..) 

But last week I was sustained as the YW personal progress coordinator. I have the best of both worlds! REALLY! God answers prayers! I know I don't get a brake from Tessa on Sunday and it won't always be sunshine and roses but I really cant believe how seriously blessed I am! :) I love church!

I love Idaho

I could easily end the post here. But I wont.

This is my gorgeous friend Haylee (and Mel!). She thanked me more than once for making the trip out to her wedding.. but honestly I should have been the one thanking her. I'm always looking for a new excuse to make the trip.

It was such a nice trip too! I kept it simple, did a lot of hanging out with family. Played plenty of games. Made it to a couple of my little sisters basketball games :) Saw a few friends. Spent a whole day a way from Tessa for the first time (no one told me how hard that is!).

 Probably best of all though Tessa got to spend lots of time with her cousins. I grew up close to cousins and I would love for Tessa to have that.. we'll keep hoping.

Gifted?

I've always known there was something special about Tessa.

No that isn't some kind of prop. That's a real, freshly cut into, tear jerking onion! What kind of kid does that?

Further more, check this out..

Just in case you missed it..

That's pretty impressive toe work!

HoW OuR YeAr EnDeD

The end of 2011 was pretty great! We were able to fit in a family trip to Disneyland, which is a pretty big deal since me and Tessa go without Mitch ALL the time. We had our own little Christmas morning on the 18th. We flew out to Chicago for 2 weeks to have Christmas and New Years with Mitch's side. We went to the Chicago Zoo. My sister-in-law had an open house celebrating her recent wedding. Mitch took me on a date downtown for our anniversary. Tessa went bowling for her first time on New Years Eve...SOO FUN! :) The trip was kind of a blur but that's what happens when you're surrounded by good food and great company.

P.S. I am grateful to be back in some nice 80 degree weather!

DISNEY

DEC 18

CHICAGO ZOO

CHRISTMAS DAY

OPEN HOUSE

 Love this one!

DEC 30

(Tes is helping me get ready for my date with Daddy)

FUN WITH JJ

NEW YEARS EVE

AND

This is my favorite picture. She was helping make Grandma and Grandpas bed. :)  

Here is to hoping for another great year!

15 Months

Tessa is 15 months as of today. She is soo fun. I can't believe how much she knows and understands! I like to believe that my AWESOME gym decided to throw her a little Christmas party, I'm guessing since she is there nearly everyday. :) Santa came and she got a goody bag. This goody bag included crayons, coloring book, plane, roll up bracelet, squishy bracelet, rubber ducky, stamp, tattoos, candy cane, bubbles, lolly pop and sparkly bookmark! How sweet is that. I didn't get a very good santa picture.. we'll try again on Friday at the ward party. But here are her cute 15 month pics from this morning and then some. :)

See what I'm saying.. belly, diaper + no smiles.. cute santa though.

She was excited cause a "choo choo" (car) drove by.

She was all smiles when it came to her goody bag!

My fav!

Trying out her new crayons.

 

This one is for my mother-in-law. She sent me and Tessa matching shirts! :)

And as promised, this is her make believe picture from my last post. Excuse the half-nakedness it was 80+ degrees in our house and she was sweating all day.



Playing Make Believe

Today was one of those days I wished time could stop. Tessa was being an angel! Not that she is ever really non angelic.. but today she didn't cry or whine (too much). She ate nearly everything I put on her tray. She laid down for two naps with out letting out a whimper! And to top that all she was playing make believe!

For her birthday a friend gave her two little rubber dolls.  She carried them around for hours giving them hugs, rides in her toy car, she danced with them, laid them down on pillows and constantly talked to them. SIGH.. My sweet almost 15 month old really only knows how to say a dozen or so words.. in English that is. I'm sure its just me, I have no doubt she understands all the things that come out of her tiny chatter box. I completely enjoyed watching her. And I hope no one thinks its silly but I enjoyed it more when she let me play too. She would give me a doll to hug and I'd hug it. Her big eyes lite up every time and she would smile a grate big smile.

I didn't get a whole lot done around the house.. understatement  But Christmas is around the corner and I can't help but want to spend a little extra time away from the hustle and bustle. Yes today was like one of those days I remember as a little girl that went by just a little too fast.

Don't act surprised.. I miss placed my camera cord.. so stay posted, cute make believe pictures to come. Enjoy this for now.

Thanksgiving!

I am super lucky! My husband is going to Florida for work and he is sending me to Idaho for a whole week! Then he is joining me for a whole nother week!!! YAY :) SO knowing that I am going to be out of town I wanted to put up a Thanksgiving post of a bunch of things I love and am so thankful for.

• Family! I have the best!
• Siblings that look alike! It doesn't even have to be siblings. Cousins, aunts, uncles! I just love that!
• Trail Mix! Lets just say if trail mix was its own food group I would have no problem getting my daily intake.
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! And my calling in the YW.
• My Beautiful Daughter! And the fact that I get to stay home and be her Mama!
• French Toast! With homemade syrup of course.
• Friends! Close and far. New and old. :)
• The Gym! Gym classes, day care, and cool people that inspire me to go everyday.
• Phone Calls! Not the quick "I'm here so come let me in your gate" but the "I was just thinking about you" kind that ends up lasting a while.
• Crafts! Just cause they make me happy.
• Mitch! Not only does he put up with a bit of a nut case but he loves me.
• Walks! Exercise or leisure. Alone or accompanied. Long or short. :)
• Pictures! I'm obsessed with taking them of Tessa, but I love my old shoebox full of old family and friend snap shots.
• Swimming! I really don't know how to swim! But there are days that I wish I was in Bear Lake swimming with family. Its soo relaxing.
• Tickling Wars! Tessa has the cutest laugh. And I can beat Mitch. :)
• Candles! And all other good smelling things.
• Ice Cream! Even though I'm a bit of a snob after working at Caspers.. Any flavor! Any Time!
• Reunions! Life is so crazy we have to set aside a few days just to all be together. Thank goodness.
• Music! It can instantly change my mood. :) And with out it we would never dance!!!
• Games! Maybe just cause I'm competitive.. I just really enjoy sitting around a table playing games all night!
• Learning! I don't know a whole lot.. but there is SO much out there to learn for everyone! Makes ya want to pick up a book huh.
• Sunshine! Probably cause I grew up in Idaho and winter last for more than half the year.
• Date Night! I learned long before I got married that its important to continue dating through marriage.. but I just recently learned why personally. :)
• Snail Mail! I LOVE getting letters!

          And

• Babies! Learning, loving, smiling, ooing gooing, so small so perftect! So need another one. :)

Happy Thanksgiving! And here is to hoping we all learn to love a little more this holiday season!