Gimme

Gimme your addresses, and I'll give ya a Christmas card.

Woot! Woot!

Kids These Days

Just now, Nate was watching the sports part of the news. All of a sudden, Ava exclaims, "Daddy! Don't watch that!"

Muaaaah muaaah haa.... my influence over her is AMAZING! :)

It just cracked me up.

A-HA Moment

Today, Elder Richards from the Quorum of the Seventy came and spoke to our ward during Sunday School and Relief Society. I was really excited because I always learn a ton when I hear him speak. He was our old stake president, so I've heard from him alot, and today I had one major A-HA moment.
We were talking about being an instrument in the Lord's hands, and how that relates to being a parent. I have always known that motherhood is a divine role and that I am here to teach my children, but it never occured to me that I am actually an instrument in the Lord's hands. I learned that there are three things I need to do to for my children. They are:

1. Teach truth

2. Encourage

3. Rescpect Agency

To be able to teach truth, I must know truth, understand truth, and live truth. Then I can teach it to my kids. Second, I need to encourage them to live the truth. Some other verbs we talked about today are: persuade, help, love, support, influence, inspire, motivate, and labor diligently. Don't use force. The third thing is what I struggle with the most: respect agency. I know the gospel is true and therefore EVERYONE should know it's true and live it's teachings. Well, that's not exactly how things turn out. This third principle was an answer to my prayers. I have a brother who is not making very wise choices right now, and I get frustrated with him because he knows better and therefore he should do better. I have been praying for guidance as to how I can be a better sister, and today's discussion was an answer to my prayers. I need to practice these three steps, and most importantly, I need to respect his agency. So, I need to abide by these principles in order to be an effective instrument in raising my children and developing relationships with my family.

We also talked about having love as the motivating factor in our lives. Our love for the Savior should inspire us to be more kind, patient, loving, forgiving, and full of charity. Our love for the Savior and our Heavenly Father should motivate us to do our visiting teaching. I admit that sometimes I do it just so I can report that I've done it. But I need to teach truth to my sisters. I should be visiting them because I love them as the Savior loves them. I should be serving them and making sure they are taken care of.

I need to live by the Spirit so I can be guided to do what the Lord wants me to do. I am an instrument in building up the kingdom of God. I need to live worthily so that I can be an example to others.

This was my A-HA moment.

It's A Love-Hate Relationship

I don't love-hate many things. Ice cream would be one. I love the taste but hate the inches it adds to my waist. Sports are another one. I love them because they make my hubby happy and I do like going to sporting events, but I HATE them on TV. But I think my biggest love-hate relationship is with Wal-Mart. When I can afford to shop somewhere else, I will. But I'm sure most of you can relate, but a student's budget calls for the least expensive of anything, and Wal-Mart produces those cheap prices. I also dislike going there because I hate getting asked if I want tamales in the parking lot, and I am not a fan of reading things in Spanish and English (no offense). I also hate the long lines and all the people who don't know shopping cart etiquette.
I usually put off grocery shopping til the last minute. I have to prep myself for like 2 weeks before I can really go. And by the time I have jazzed myself into going, it's Saturday night at 9:30 p.m. Well, in Utah, that's Mormon shopping time. But I must say, last night was the exception. I drug myself to Wally world, but to my surprise, I found a parking spot within 2 minutes, and it was near the door!
I walked in and it was practically empty! It was glorious! I had a few run-ins with people, but nothing major. The prices were even lower than ever, and it was relatively clean. To top it off, there wasn't any lines and the cashier was actually friendly! What really made my trip was that I wasn't asked if I wanted tamales..... I think that was my first pleasant trip! But don't think that this will become just a love relationship. It will always be love-hate.

3 Months Old!

It seems like just yesterday our little Halliekins made her debut into our lives. I can't believe how much she's changed! I didn't take these first 3 pics, the nurses in the NICU did, and then they sent me a CD of all the pictures they had taken. I am so grateful they did because I don't remember the first time I saw her. It was about 4 hours after she was born, and I was so doped up on meds that I could only sit in the wheelchair, hold my head up, and focus my eyes for about 5 minutes. I didn't get to hold her right after she was born because she was whisked away.... but I have enjoyed looking at these pictures.

And here she is.... 3 months later!! She is finally growing out of her newborn clothes. She will smile a ton at you, only if it's in the morning. She usually has her hand in tiny little fists and likes them by her face. She is most happy when you are holding her and she can look around. She has the deepest blue eyes I have ever seen, and I just love love LOVE her little cheeks and double chin. I could kiss them all day! She is finally sleeping through the night (about 8 hours) and usually has one blow out a day, usually around 7:30 p.m.

What a crazy 3 months it's been, but I couldn't imagine our lives without her.

Just Can't Get Enough

Can you tell she likes to dress herself these days?

Look at those cheeks!

She always has her fist by her face.

On another note....

How does this happen?

Picture Perfect

Hallie is starting to grunt, so that usually means feeding time, but I wanted to post some pics....

Ava apparently thought Hallie would enjoy this dog on her head.

Hallie's cute little hands.

Hallie's blessing day.

Dan and Ava having fun at Grammy's 50th birthday party

Best buds.


Hallie's blessing day.... she's exactly 2 months old!


Opening her presents. She had lots of help!

Blowing out her "Abby Cadabby" candle

I made her birthday cake and thought I was pretty clever because I said "HABBY BIRTHDAY" instead of "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" because she wanted an "ABBY" cake.

Side view of the cake. It was yummy!