Let Her Be Two

Lately I have been trying to enjoy the "moments" more of being her mother. She makes me so incredibly happy and teaches me so much. She reminds me that no matter what I do, she loves me. She teaches me that it is ok to hurt, but that things will be better (or da-e will come home from work). She teaches me to slow down, to enjoy the walk home from church, or around the grocery store. She reminds me that some days, you just need some independence and no one will really care if your clothes match (especially if you're two).

It is truly a blessing to be her mother.

She's growing up much too fast these days, I'm constantly amazed at the things she says! 

Here are a few excerpts from our days lately: 

-As she places her cold hands down Jared's shirt to warm them up, "Da-e, stay calm, it's gonna be ok."

-As we tickle her in our bed Sunday morning, "Stop it guys!!!" (full of laughter)

-As we jump/play with her on the tramp "This is so great, thanks mom and dad!" (on day 3 of having a tramp.)

What if she spills her cereal on the floor as she takes her bowl to the sink? She's two, and she'll help you clean it up. What if she isn't supposed to be wearing her tap shoes on the wood, but she is and she falls? She's two, so you pick her up and snuggle her extra. What if she lets Mamy (Emmaline) out of the house and they run wild in the front yard? She's two, so you bring them in and have a talk about safety & are glad you have a rock parking pad next to your driveway that keeps them from the street. What if she insists her hair is curled (or straightened to be like yours) and you don't really feel like it? She's two, and you know she won't let you do it forever so you do it anyways and find yourself really enjoying the smiles and giggles as you do it and as she looks in the mirror at herself when it is done.

She's two, and I love her oh so much. Time, please slow down.

Enjoy the Journey.

Grandpa Great

We had one of the hardest things we have had to go through in our marriage in January, when we said "See you on the other side" to Grandpa Great. It was a roller coaster of a week and we are so glad that we listened to promptings so that we were able to be there with him for a few days before and then when he passed. He is one of the greatest examples in our life and we are so proud to bear his name. We will do all that we can to live worth of it and to live as he would. There have been several times in the last two months when we have thought "What would Grandpa do, or what would Grandpa say?" 

We draw comfort in knowing that he was ready and knew that it was his time to go. It has been a hard adjustment and there have also been times of looking around thinking "Where's Grandpa" only to remember and have your heart break again. It has also been a good reminder to cherish the relationships we have with others every single day.

Their love story is one of the most beautiful ones we can think of. 

Enjoy the Journey.

Utah Christmas

Christmas day it started to snow like crazy and then it continued to snow like crazy. Jared ended up working from home the day after Christmas because we didn't feel good about traveling in the snow back to Utah (ended up that there was a terrible fatal accident in Pocatello about the time we would have been going through). We got stuck on our way out to Jared's parents house once even the snow was sooo bad! 

When we got back to Utah we opened all of our presents that we had left here. It was fun to have "another" Christmas.

She loved holding up everything that Jared and I got to take a picture of.

Showing off new jammies and stick on ear rings. 

I love this girlie!

Enjoy the Journey.

An Idaho Christmas

I went to Idaho early for Christmas with Karissa and Emmaline. Dad got his knee replaced, so we went up early to help. By the time Christmas rolled around most of us started to get sick. :(

I introduced Emery to Sherbet and was the. best. mom. ever. 

Christmas Sunday Dress!

Sprinkling out reindeer food so Santa knows where to stop.

It was so fun to all be together for Christmas! (Even if we all took turns being sick). 

Christmas Eve!

Opening presents, it was a rough Christmas Eve night for many so we were up early with not much sleep.

I think Parker wrote this, I loved it!

Opening presents at Jared's parents. Since I was sick we didn't go out much because I didn't want to share my germs.

Emery loved spending time with her cousins! She snuck into the back and found Parker and Ama laying in the bed and Parker let her climb up and join them. She loved it!

Enjoy the Journey.

Sick Girlie

She just could not/ cannot get healthy. (still) 

Enjoy the Journey.

IIICCCEEEEE & an unfortunate hairstyle/outfit.

This girlie loved the ice sickles on the house this winter.

I braided her hair early in the day, then she didn't get dressed until later and she really wanted to wear this dress she got for Christmas. Afterwards, I realized she totally looked like a polygamist child. It was definitely an unfortunate outfit. 

Enjoy the Journey.

Mamy & Snow

We watched Emmaline (Mamy as Emery calls her) so Karissa and Adam could go to his work party.

She wanted so badly to play outside because Jared and Emery were trying to catch snowflakes in their mouths, but she was getting over being sick so I didn't let her. 

It was the first "snow" of the season and Emery LOVED going outside for a bit with Jared as it fell.

Since she wanted to be outside, when Emery came in she wore her coat around for a while and thought she was so cool!

Enjoy the Journey.

Reindeer

Thanksgiving Point had a reindeer out for a few days in December and we took Emery to see it. She thought it was really cool to see "Sven" from Frozen. :) 

Jared even did her hair this day! He's practicing and doing a pretty good job!

Ignore the terrible picture of both of them, she ALWAYS wants to be on his shoulders these days. :) 

Enjoy the Journey.