Early Christmas and best 2009!

As I have already stated, I was really bummed that Steve had to work Christmas AGAIN this year ( along with all the other holidays), but we have been trying to make the best of it. It just so happens that some of our presents had to come early, due to delivery details.

One of the best parts is that I really didn't think we were going to have a Christmas at all this year, but we have been completely surprised by one of the best Christmas yet!

The first BIG present to arrive came from our Aunt Sherri and Uncle Mike....They brought Andy by her very own BIG girl bed. We were worried how she would transition and really wanted her to do it before baby came and "stole" her bed." To our amazement...she has completely loved her new big girl bed...and has not had ANY problems with it. She goes down right when we put her and does not get up! She is so proud of herself and we couldn't be happier. We are glad this present came early. We thought we should get her brand new bedspread and sheets to go along with the bed. So, we have her princess sheets, which she is so proud of! In a package we opened the other day, her cousins sent her some princess pajamas which match her bed perfectly! They had no idea, so this was even more exciting! This is us at our annual temple square trip. It was freezing and Andy was so tired, but we still had so much fun looking at all the lights!

About a month ago, I was complaining to Steve telling him I didn't feel like myself...That I was a mom and happy to be one, but just didn't feel like I was expressing myself. I was concerned how I would be when my kids grew up and were out of the house, since I have no sense of self. He really was listening...which makes my Christmas present this year all the more special.

Music has always been a huge part of my life...My way to release, to express myself. It doesn't help that any time I start singing my daughter screams and says "NO". So, Steve has desperately been searching for a piano that would not only NOT break the bank, but fit our apartment, and work with our family.

I think he more than succeeded. Not only does it fit perfectly in our house and make it feel more like a home....One of the best features is that we can put headphones in it, so I can play while kids are sleeping, which is really the only time I can play anyway . (don't missunderstand, it is used and not as expensive as it looks, but that makes it more fun right)

Going from no Christmas to my favorite ever is a complete turn around for me! We really thought we wouldn't even have presents under the tree this year (that is just how finances are with us lately), but we have been pleasantly surprised with a few packages from family showing up at our door, and have more than we could have wished for.!!

What a beautiful season and beautiful time for our family. I have never been happier. Steve is going to medical school next year, I have a beautiful daughter and one on the way. My cup runneth over and I just am so grateful!

All grown up in one day??

My little gal has been quite an adventure when it comes to the potty. For the longest time we have tried to do everything just to get her to sit on it. From buying her own potty, to one that sits on the toilet...putting it in a different room completely. Taking things in and out of the toilet, buying potty books and DVDs, having her watch us go all the time, bribing her...She was so afraid of the toilet ( not the flush, the toilet toilet---and yes, the little one)


We wouldn't have even tried anything if she didn't hate diapers so much and say "stinky, change me" every time she goes. She has shown every sign that she wanted to use the potty except the actual sitting on the potty part.


So, this morning out of nowhere, she says "momma, I go stinky on potty." "What, you want to go on the potty?" Yeah

We take her into the bathroom, she drops her pants and sits on it like she hasn't been screaming bloody murder every time. I about died, am still dying over it. Then she wanted dad to come and hold her hand. Dad sat on the toilet right next to her. She didn't even want to get off.

Finally, when nothing was happening and it was forever, we said "let's get off" only to find out she did do a tiny little poop! I am still dying. You have no idea the trauma, and bam out of nowhere.


Right before nap time I asked her if she wanted to sit on the potty, and she said yes. I don't even care if she goes or has to go. It has been so traumatic the sitting, that if we can just manage that for a while, I will be perfectly content. After that she asked for her big girl bed (her auntie just brought it over last week, but we haven't put it in her room yet cause Steve is working, so we haven't pushed it). But, I wasn't about to tell her NO.


So, she took her very first nap, without ANY problems, laying in mom's room on her very own big girl bed. I am still in shock! She woke up and has sat on the toilet throughout the day ( not going, but again, I don't care).


Right now she is sitting here watching Strawberry Shortcake and I am wondering what happened today. Where did all this Courage come from? Did she just completely grow up in one day right before my eyes? Did I mention we also swung on the swing today, which she has NEVER done cause she is so afraid of it!


I am so very happy and not sure how long it will last. I am so proud of this day, this moment. You are definitely a mommy when something like this just makes your "year" better. I love it and I love my grown up little girl. She is the most precious thing in the world!

My baby and her baby....

Andy's grandma gave her a dress and a dress for her dollie the other day. Andy, of course, fell in love with it. This just makes me all the more excited for another little girl that Andy can have around, play with, and dress like...

So dang cute, and so happy!

A wonderful church surprise!!

Yesterday started out like our typical sunday. We were running very late, already 20 minutes late to church, barely prepared for Sunday...



We rushed out the door and got to church. Steve and I even debated on walking in the chapel and finding a seat, or sitting on the chairs just outside. I then decided it is more fun on testimony day to watch the people speak. We get a seat on the very back row.





Andy starts acting up, so I am paying attention to her, barely hearing the testimonies. All of a sudden, the bishop announces that Dallin H. Oaks will be bearing his testimony. I almost yell out loud "WHAT?" Steve replies, "didn't you see him sitting up there and people talking about him?" NO NO NO, i didn't.





I almost hyperventilate, realizing how amazing this moment is...I've only heard of this sort of thing. He gets up and says sometimes if he doesn't have a stake conference to go to, he just drives around until he finds a nice looking building with nice people and just decides to come check in on them. "SERIOUSLY?"











He then bears his testimony about the gospel and how the holy ghost is unique gift to our church and we need to use it. He tells us he will be "popping in" to some of our class rooms for a few minutes and he doesn't want to disrupt, just see how we do things. WOW





To be completely honest, I was a little sad since I figured we wouldn't see him cause we are in primary. So, right after sacrament meeting, I decided I needed to shake his hand. I was in shock there wasn't a line. I went right up to him and said, can I just shake your hand, and could feel of his powerful calling.




I ran back to Steve saying "I want Andy to meet this apostle." So he ran her up to him, he took her hand and called her a Dear. We loved that of course.





Went to primary and just before senior primary was excused...he shows up. I about died. You could fill the spirit when he walked in the room. The presidency asked if he wanted to share something with the kids. So he got up, and spoke directly to them about being the rising generation and very special and unique for the church. He bore testimony of Jesus and how special they are to him. I was holding back the tears. It was so powerful and incredible...never been that intimate with an apostle. There are 24 kids in our primary...




He stayed in the back for a few more minutes and watched sharing time. INCREDIBLE! I felt bad for all the people who missed church yesterday or who were sick ( which was me last week). You really never know how church is going to go. I felt the spirit Elder Oaks exuded and am so grateful for his testimony. I will always remember this special sunday!