Dare I Tell...

... where I got this wonderful little skirt?


Dying to know? .... see it here:

I'm no expert, but I had fun with this one.

Winter Wonderland

There is just something about the snow this year.

Its a little bit beautiful.

Night Lights

Happy belated Thanksgiving. I hope everyone had a wonderful day. I know I did. It was great to spend time with family and have a day to reflect on the good things in life. This year, I am especially grateful for the Lords timing. I don't always understand why things happen when they do, but I always have faith that because it is the Lords plan it is perfect. I will understand one day and that is all that matters. As the hymn 'Lead, Kindly Light' says, " Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene - one step enough for me." I have faith that the Lord sees our plan and I because I trust in him, I trust the things I do not understand. In our particular situation with the baby and school and moving and blah blah blah, I can't think of a better blessing.

...

Tonight, we braved the cold and went to the Night Lights Parade in Pocatello. It was great. Tayden was in heaven with all of his new favorite things; snow, snowmen, Santa, trains, and Christmas lights. And some of his old favorites too; dogs, horses and big trucks. He had a blast. Little T is more of the 'staring in awe' type rather than 'jump and scream' type when it comes to situations like a parade. He just sat and soaked everything up. It was cold, but we were bundled up and it was so worth seeing the joy on my little boys face. Plus, he got to wear his new snow suit and boots...which totally made his day!

Scott and Tayden waiting for the fun to begin.

All bundled up.

Mesmerized by Santa on a firetruck. Doesn't get any better than that!

Now, onto my favorite thing. Putting up the Christmas tree!

Hair Cuts Day

Yesterday my fabulous cousin, Teresa, cut Taydens hair as well as my own. My aunt was there and was the best help with Tayden. Plus, they were gracious enough to let us hang out there most the morning and fed wild child lunch. Teresas kids were amazing with Tayden and he loved playing with them. It was just awesome. Thanks guys for everything. We really appreciate it.

Now, for pictures: I was going to take Tayden outside to for a little photo shoot, but have you noticed it is winter outside? It was far to cold for my sickly little boy. Yes, he has caught the cough and yuckiness that seems to be plaguing Pocatello. So, we opted for a few pictures inside. Easier said that done with this our little busy body.

haha...Tayden and his shirt hat. He loves to run around the house like this. Wierdo.

Ah, when did he grow up? Cute hair cute bud.

My hair cut. Don't mind the cheesy smile...

In other news, I only have 10 weeks left until we meet baby brother. Well, 10 weeks 6 days...but still technically 10 weeks! Its gone crazy fast, yet can't seem to go fast enough!

Happy Weekend!

Finding Joy

In the 2008 October Conference President Monson talked about Finding Joy In The Journey. We were discussing in in church a while back and we were challenged to take that talk and apply in to our lives daily. We were challenged to find joy in something everyday. I hadn't thought much about it until today when I had the opportunity to remind myself of a simply joy:

I completely and utterly enjoy wrapping gifts (homeade bow included). I didn't learn that about myself until I was married, but for some reason it brings my heart a little bit of happiness. So, this month as we contemplate the things we are grateful for, I encourage you to remember the small moments in life that make it as wonderful as it is.

What brings joy to your day to day journey?

Big Boy Bed

The rumors are true. Tayden has moved from his crib into a big boy bed. Awesome!? Kind of... He is having a bit of a rough time with the transition. The first night he slept the whole night through and didn't have any problems. The second night did not go so smoothly and its been a downward spiral since then. He naps wonderfully in it during the day...its just at night that we are experiencing problems. The other night as I was getting more and more frustrated I prayed for a miracle. I didn't receive my miracle, so to speak, but I received some priceless inspiration. Have you heard the song, "Let Them Be Little"? It goes like this:

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand
Felt so good in it, no bigger than a minute
How it amazes me, you're changing with every blink
Faster than a flower blooms they grow up all too soon

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

I've never felt so much in one little tender touch
I live for those kisses, prayers and your wishes
Now that you're teaching me things only a child can see
Every night while we're on our knees all I ask is please

Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

So innocent, a precious soul, you turn around
It's time to let them go

So let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while
Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day
Let them cry, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle
Oh just let them be little

Let them be little

And then it struck me. My little boy is just that. Little. I need to enjoy him, all of him. He isn't going to be little forever and I need to charish those quiet minutes laying next to him in bed. The quite moments he lets me hold and snuggle him. The moments when I am the only thing that will make him feel better. These will soon be memories that I will long to relive, so I need to appreciate them now. When Tayden was a newborn I wanted nothing more than for him to grow up, and now there is absolutely nothing I can do to stop it. Don't be me wrong, I am so excited for that to happen, but it tugs at my heart a little to see my baby grow up to a little boy. I know this bed time stuff has been hard....for both of us....but this too shall pass. And I hope that when I look back on it, I won't have any regrets. I hope I can learn to cherish being a mom. Even the hard moments, because it is never going to happen again. I will never be able to raise Tayden again. I will never be able to take back my moments of frustration and anger. But, I can always be proud of my undying love and devotion to my children. Okay, this is turning into some what of a rampage that did not intent to happen. I guess all in all my inspiration is a miracle of sorts, because Tayden is my miracle...being his mom is my miracle and learning to raise him in a way that my Heavenly Father wants me to is a miracle.

Weekly challenge for everyone: Cherish the moments, because they are just that....moments that pass us by all to quickly.

*On a more serious note: Starting Monday, we are going to switch bedtime up a bit. I am going to start a new bedtime routine and follow the advice of 'super nanny'. You know the whole put your child back to bed without eye contact every time he gets out of bed routine. It should be fun! I'm dreading it a little bit, but I know it is what needs to be done. For both of our sakes. Any other words of advice?

( I just noticed the juxtaposition of this post and my thoughts. Love them being little, cherish the moments to super nanny mom. Ah, the joys and confusion of pregnancy!)

I can remember when you fit

> 3

In the next three months:

Scott will have a birthday.
Thanksgiving will be over.
I get to put up my Christmas tree.
The Holidays will have come and gone.
2010 will be over.
2011 will have started.
Scott starts his last semester of school.
I will have a two year old.
I will have a newborn.
We will become a family of four.
We will have had Tanner 4 years.
I will have been with my sweetheart 5 years.

All of a sudden I am realizing how quickly my life is changing. Its scary and so exciting all at once. This new little baby has changed my perspective and I am starting to see how quickly time comes and goes. It feels like yesterday that Scott and I met and now we are preparing for our second child together. I just hope I can enjoy every minute it.