Dear Girlie,

Last week you had a rough morning, (turns out we were both sick starting that afternoon) and didn't want to go down for your nap. Everything was terribly sad and would make you cry.

As I laid next to you in bed I started singing "I am a Child of God" to you and you started to calm down. As I finished the verse you said, in a terribly sad begging voice, "I... I..." asking me to sing it again. I think I ended up singing it fifteen or so times but you finally fell asleep.

I'm thankful for your love of music and especially of church songs already. You love to sing songs several times a day, and we know when we mention it we're going to have to sing every single one of the ones that you know.

I'm also thankful for those quiet moments when I get to lay with you while you're falling asleep. I know sometimes I feel frustrated because your taking longer than normal to fall asleep, but I quickly remind myself that I am your mother, and it is my greatest privilege to get to do things like this. So thank you Girlie, for letting me put you to sleep, for tapping the pillow next to you after you'll only give dad a hug, and telling me "nigh, night" because you want it to be me to put you to sleep, and you think if you give me a hug before I lay down that I'll leave.

Thank you for teaching me to slow down and enjoy the moments, and not get too caught up in the everyday routine.

I love you Girlie.

Love,

Mom

Misc.

Lots of random pictures I found on the different memory cards. 

Nothing like breaking the wishbone in Feb!

Auntie Jee came down for a quick overnight visit so Saturday morning snuggles were a must!

Daddy's birthday cupcakes!

In Nov. we went and visited Aunt Glady. I've always seen my Granma in Emery, but this picture makes me see for sure that she also has Banks genes in her!

Enjoy the Journey.

Uncle Jeff's Birthday

https://vimeo.com/87053556

The link above is a little video I made at Uncle Move-It's party.

My parents came down a couple weekends ago and we headed to Sigurd on Saturday for Uncle Jeff's 70th birthday party. It was so fun to get to see them, but more to spend time with my parents since it had been quite some time since we'd really spent much time with them. (a month for my mom and since Christmas for my dad) I'm terrible at remembering to get the camera out when they're here, and really need to get better. We're so glad they came and are already planning our next trip to DP Cheesesteaks when they come next! 

Enjoy the Journey.

Pres. Weekend Guests

Auntie Julisa and Uncle Kyle came for President's day weekend, they came Wednesday night late and stayed until Monday late afternoon. We had lots of fun doing all kinds of things. Kyle had an internship fair on Thursday and we celebrated Jared's birthday, Friday we all hung out for Valentines day, Saturday we made their save the date video, Sunday we had Bethany & girls and Uncle Edward for dinner, then Monday Julisa and I went shopping and we just hung out. 

To see their save the date video go to:

https://vimeo.com/86856169

Valentines flower from Da-e.

Emery's other valentine... boyfriend Uncle Kyle.

She made a path of magic carpets, she was so happy emptying the drawer.

Sometimes when Auntie Jee is in the shower you wait outside the door until she finishes.

And peek to see if you can see her "hiding from you".

Enjoy the Journey.

Dear Girlie,

I just realized I forgot to tell you what the Dr. at Primary's said about your spots. She officially diagnosed them as "mystery rash" and put you on a cream and a medicine. From the questions she asked me it sounds like your little body has reacted to something and it is stuck in the cycle of reacting and they won't go away.

We got the medicines and you're a champ at taking them. Daddy is so good at remembering to give your medicine every night but I need to do better at remembering to put the cream on you. You don't have as many spots but you still have spots. They went away for a few days, but they're back. We're hopeful though that they will still go away and that your little body will return to normal.

Also Da-e went on a business trip a couple of weeks ago and you missed him so bad. You loved talking to him on the computer but were so happy when he came home, and so was mom. I'm glad he doesn't go away often on trips but he had a fun time.

You're growing so fast and I want to slow time down, but I can't so I'm just trying to enjoy every single day getting to stay at home with you.

I love you girlie,

Mom.

Cell Phone Update

Photo dump.... 

At post waiting for Da-e to come home.

Some reading material for the bathroom she brought with her.

The proper way to use an eyelash curler.

I babysat some kids in the ward and she climbed up and sat right next to him. flirt.

She always makes sure she's comfortable and has a pillow!

Our rad couch... we needed to wash the cushion covers.

Fabulous sense of style.

She regularly makes herself beds in random places and goes "nigh-nigh".

We recently pulled the mega blocks out and she LOVES them!

(sorry it's sideways) Rockin' the glasses.

HSM on the way to Uncle Move-It's party.

She loves loves loves her "Blessing Book."

Shoes are a very important thing to her these days... oh I'm in for it!

She has become "too big" in her mind to sit in the front and now insists on sitting in the basket. Where did my baby go? She's growing up too fast!

Enjoy the Journey.

Dinner Guests

A couple of weeks ago we had Bethany and the girls come for dinner. It was my first time making a roast and mashed potatoes and gravy all from scratch and by myself since we've been married. I know... pretty pathetic since we've been married almost 3 years. I called my mom before I got stuff out of the oven and told her that if it tasted like it smelt then I had been successful and it was exactly like hers, turns out... she gives pretty good directions over the phone and apparently I've paid some attention-it was FABULOUS!

The girlie had a fabulous time testing the mashed potatoes, then continuing to eat them straight from the mixing bowl.

Enjoy the Journey.