Feeling Grateful

I have been feeling extremely grateful lately. Grateful for the physical things in my life, thankful for the guidance of my Heavenly Father and ever so blessed for my wonderfully beautiful family. I like to take a step back and look at life from a different perspective, and I can't help but feel favored of the Lord. We have a comfortable home that provides us safety and peace from the outside world. It is a place of learning for my son and the home where we started our family. I will always hold our little starter home close to my heart. We have two reliable cars. My great grandpa once told me in the sincerest voice how lucky we are to actually have two cars. I have never forgot that comment and ponder it often. We have all the amenities of life and some of the luxuries too. After Scott decided to go back to school, we had to change our lifestyle dramatically. We no longer could do what we pleased when we pleased, but had to budget and practice some self control. Even with all of the changes we made, we could have never done it alone. We have been extremely blessed to be led by the Lord in which direction to lead our lives. Because we have followed his counsel, I have been able to stay home, Scott has been able to concentrate on school and we have been able to maintain family time together. I have no doubt our faith has played a major part in situation. It is because of our faith that we are where we are and that we have each other. I love my family more than anything. I loved Scott from the moment I first met him (true story) and it grows everyday. When I see him studying so diligently, my heart swells with pride. He is working so hard to provide for our family and insuring that we have a secure future. Even with a full schedule of school he makes time to work on the side and always saves time for his family and extremely needy wife. I am so lucky to have him. Speaking of lucky...I constantly think how lucky I must be to have Tayden in my life. He is amazing. I can not even think of words to express how much I love being his mom. I wake up everyday to this wonderful little boy who showers me with kisses and makes me laugh. I am in awe of his constant learning and achievements and thank the Lord he allowed me to raise his son. I am grateful for parents that taught us the truth of temples. Because of those truths I have my boys with me forever. I am so blessed. So very very blessed!

Happy Birthday Tayden!

I can't believe my baby is one! I know that's cliche, but I truly can not believe he is year old. The past year has been such a crazy blessing. Tayden is the light of our lives and brings us more joy than we could ever imagine. Its been hard, but it has been more rewarding that I could have ever thought. I look at Tayden every day in awe and thank my Heavenly Father for him.

So in honor of our little man, we threw him a birthday party. Our families came over, we opened gifts and had some cupcakes. Beware: There is a bit of a picture overload and they are actually in reverse order (I didn't want to reformat all the pics), but maybe you will enjoy them as much as I do!

This is the cupcake tower I made for my boy. I was super excited about it.

Look at that little grin. Too cute.

He loves cake!

Taydens view of the party. I thought it was kind of funny.

More cake!

Concentrating.

Checking mommy out while we were singing to him.

Waiting for some dessert. (He has been chewing on his fingers lately, lets hope a molar is coming in and its not just a habit!)

Mom, Dad and the birthday boy.

Grandma and Grandpa Packard. Love the boys checking each other out.

Aunt Sharlee and Uncle Matt.

Grandma Mennear, Aunt Jo and Grandma Mennear.

Tayden checking out the quiet book Grandma Packard made for him.

Toy from Grandma Mennear. Once he figured out it was a toy in the box, he was intent on getting it out!

Tayden is such a great little boy. He has more personality that he knows what to do with and can make anybody smile. At one year Tayden:

• Walks proficiently and is working on running.
• Gives the best kisses in the world. If you like a little licking action...
• Loves to eat.
• Is an independent booger.
  
• Flirts with the old ladies in church.
• Plays with Tanner all day.
• Stomps his feet when he gets excited.
  
• Is completely content to carry around a pot lid.
• Loves to 'clean'. If you give him a rag, he wipes down anything and everything.
• Also loves to sweep.
• And thinks pushing the vacuum is fun too.
• Thinks thing through.
• Analyzes situations and crowds before getting off mommy's lap.
  
• Loves music and dances whenever he hears it.
• Has favorite toys and knows where they are in his room.
• Throws things at you if he can't figure it out. IE-Opening a water bottle.
• Makes me laugh everyday!
• Says "wow" and 'ma-ma-ma-ma"...(I take it as mama)
  

Happy Birthday Tayden. We love you!!!

Losing the battle...

And LOVING every minute of it!

I am constantly picking up after Tayden. I clean up one thing just to turn around and clean up another mess by my little explorer man. My house seems to be in constant mayhem, and surprisingly enough, considering the neat freak I am, don't mind at all. In fact, I love it. It shows me I have a healthy, smart, independent and adventurous little almost one year old boy. I wanted to be a mom longer than I can remember and seeing his little mess is a sweet reminder my dream has come true.

I can't believe how big he is getting!


(Don't mind the hat hair...it was cold outside today.)

We love you Taydenator!

Stroll and Roll

Tonight was the stake quarterly activity at Deleta. I hadn't planned on skating until I heard that you could take your stroller out on the skating rink. After I heard that, I was determined to get out on the floor, but had one minor problem. I didn't wear any socks. You would think that I would be wearing socks in the middle of winter, but no. So the hunt began. I finally was able to buy some at the snack bar for two bucks. Good deal? You decide.

They were little girl socks that barley covered my ankles. I had to snap a picture because it was hilarious. I am surprised I even got them on. However, it was better than the alternative. Seriously, all they do is spray a little disinfectant in the skates and with my luck I probably would have contracted some nasty disease.

After I won the sock battle, it was time to get my skating on. The picture is pretty blurry, (its from my phone) but is proof I actually did it.

Tayden had alot of fun when the lights were on. He got a little nervous when the lights went out, but other than that he was a pro. Speaking of pro....I am thinking about it. I have to admit I was pretty awesome too! (Hope you caught the sarcasm.)

Tiny Tantrum

Tayden is very strong willed. He never forgets about anything and tends to have a bit of meltdown when things don't go just his way. He is a stubborn little guy with enough independence for an army. He is probably a little too smart for his own good, well probably too smart for my own good. And on top of that, he has quite a mischievous side to him. Oh, I love these traits about him!

The other morning I was on the computer, Taydens favorite thing in the world! Apparently I forgot to ask him if it was okay to put it away. As soon as I shut it the tantrum began.

He is trying to open it again. Before I could get the camera, he was literally laying on it in major distress.

Not a happy camper. A good mom would probably be consoling their child, but me...I was too busy taking pictures and laughing at the poor kid. It was just too funny!

After he noticed me laughing and taking pictures, he decided he would survive after all. I love this classic Tayden face.

Even when Tayden is having a tantrum, I still can't get enough of him!

Hunting, lights and mashed potatoes

*A quick side note: I was talking to my sister in law about printing out my blog. Well, I found an awesome website that allows me to edit my blog, add stories, and publish my blog into a book. I am super excited. Its our family history in the making. I am doing it in year increments, so this year there are going to be a lot more post and probably a lot more pictures. Some of which I am sure nobody will really care about. I am going to goof around with different formats to see what can be edited easier. If anyone has any suggestions for this type of thing, please let me know. Thanks!

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THREE QUICK UPDATES:

#1-This morning my husband went goose hunting with our neighbor. He went last week, but didn't have any luck. Today, was a different story.

Good job Scott!

#2- Scott decided to take down the Christmas lights today. Tayden and I had been inside all day and I figured we could use some fresh air, so we went out and watched Daddy take down the lights. After about 20 minutes of bundling him up we ventured outside. Tayden LOVED it. It took him awhile to get the hang of moving in all those extra layers. By the way, did I mention he is walking? I know, I can't believe it either. He was been walking between furniture for quite awhile now, but now he is full blown walking. Anyway, we played outside for about 45 minutes and little Tayden was not ready to come in.




#3- It was Taydens lucky day. Not only did he get to play outside, but he got mashed potatoes for dinner. The pictures do not do him justice:


Needless to say, a bath followed soon after.

What a fun day at the Packard house!!