Thoughts

There have been a lot of things on my mind lately and I have really felt that I need to record them. (These images I'm taking from my pinterest board.)

I have been thinking about this a lot lately and about how we shouldn't "wish things away". There are a couple of things lately that Jared and I have been talking about and I just keep being reminded about this quote and how it is so true. I'm not a very patient person, so this has been hard for me to learn, and I am still learning it. I am reminded of this everyday, and my testimony is growing stronger each day of this and how true it is.

This is something else that I have been thinking about lately, about setting realistic goals and working on them at a pace that I am comfortable with, and not needing to prove to someone else that I can do it on their timeline. I have gained a lot of self confidence lately as I have learned to love myself more for who I am, not who I was, or who I am working to become. It has really helped me to take my goals to my Heavenly Father and continually ask for His help daily in achieving them one small step at a time.

This has become increasingly real to me lately as I am now the mother to a toddler. As I mentioned above I'm not very patient and it is something that I am always working on. Every night when I tuck Emery into bed I try to apologize again to her of anything that I may need to that happened during the day and I promise to her that I will be a better mom tomorrow than I was today. It has really helped me utilize the atonement in my life and work on continually striving to become better.

Last, this has been on my mind today more than ever. Today I was set apart as the 2nd counselor in the Young Women's Presidency. As Jared and I talked last night I talked about how I was nervous and how it would make Wednesday nights super busy because we would only see each other for about 15 minutes until 8:30-9 that night. He quickly told me that I would be great at it and that Heavenly Father knows this is where I need to be and that I will do a great job. Today when I was set apart I was told that as I put my most important callings first, that of being a wife and mother, that everything else would also go smoothly. (something to that effect). It was such peace to me to be reminded that He has called me to do this. That I have been entrusted to help teach his precious daughters at this time when they need to be reminded who they are more than ever. I'm excited for this calling and for all that it will teach me!

Enjoy the Journey.

Aaa-da, K, and Ma My's Visit

Adam, Karissa and Emmaline came to visit! Adam had two internship interviews, so I got to pick the girls up in SLC. It was Karissa's birthday so I took them to lunch, then we headed to the airport to meet Jill, who brought (Mrs.) Julie's car up so she could head back to Idaho. The visit was way too short, but it was so good to see them. 

Bathtime is always better with cousins!

We set up HSM so that both girls could see it while we waited at the airport.

Enjoy the Journey.

Finally.

A couple of weeks ago we (finally!) sold Jared's car. But of course a couple days before he was rear ended in Granma's car (his "new" car). We're hoping to get that one fixed soon, It's still drivable, minor damage, but more a "really?" moment as he was on his way to find out he needed a root canal and crown. We're glad it is finally sold, and are still loving the Rendezvous we bought in November.

Enjoy the Journey.

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.