A Shiny Suit

At Christmas, Lily wanted a "shiny suit" for gymnastics.

Santa opted for a more economical cotton version from Target,

I said, "Look! It has shiny rhinestones!"

And although she was polite about it, she said that Santa must have misunderstood her request.

haha.

Actually, Santa knew Lily had been invited to join the team and he'd be paying for a shiny team leotard soon enough.

All this to say, that when that suit finally arrived, Lily was happy.

S.U.P.E.R happy.

These photos were her request, and of course she struck all her own poses.

(and then Roman got in on the action)

My little girl in the shiny suit is something else!

Love her.

Conference Weekend

(doing daddy's hair)

(dear lily, it's not a coincidence that Elder Quentin L. Cook was the speaker when this picture was taken,

he delivered a beautiful message about women)

(practice a little casting)

(Roman enjoying his crumb cake Sunday morning)


(this was a Family Home Evening activity from last Monday...

we read stories about the leaders of our church, and took turns drawing pictures to remind us of the stories.

They used these papers during conference to help identify the speakers :)

Conference Weekend is always a favorite.

We listen to inspired messages on both Saturday and Sunday.

We spend the days together. Eat yummy food.

I feel the Holy Spirit so strongly in our home during this time.

There is no where else I'd rather be.

It's really such a good good feeling.

There were so many wonderful talks, but one really stands out to me.

Earlier in the week, I listened to an interview with Elder Scott and his daughter.

It was an amazing interview and they covered his fascinating life from boyhood on.

But there was one part that was so very interesting to me.

He addressed a question about why he has chosen not to remarry after his wife's passing.

His answer was touching, and very personal.

(skip to minute 20 in the interview if you want to hear that part)

It made such an impact on me.

So Sunday morning, I was excited to listen to Elder Scott's address.

Wow, wow, wow.

It did not disappoint.

He talked about pure love, and the joy of eternal families.

Again, he shared very personal experiences.

He spoke of his sweet wife, and a son who died as a young child.

Really, there were so many messages embedded in his talk.

But personally, I left with an overwhelming gratitude for the knowledge

that because of a loving Father in Heaven and His divine plan,

my marriage and my family are eternal.

Although I am far from achieving the kind of love and joy

Elder Scott spoke about, it certainly increased my desire to nurture

those relationships...

and helped me realize that if I spend every last minute of my life trying...

it will be worth it.

These are a few of my favorite things...

ummmm. ummm.

Limonata, fish and ondansetron.

Each quite vital to the first 15 weeks of my pregnancy.

Yes. Baby #4.

For the record, this pregnancy is SO DIFFERENT from any of my others.

Prior to this pregnancy I hadn't puked since 2nd grade.

And that is no joke.

Also no joke, is that I honestly hadn't visited a Long John Silvers or a Captain D's...

ever?

But shoot. I have found myself in the drive through more than once lately.

Too tired to make myself something fishy...their grilled tilapia with a side of broccoli is heavenly.

The important thing is that the nausea/pukes are slowly going away.

Slowly...but surely.

I'm due at the end of September.

Considering the baby that stayed put the longest was still 2 weeks early,

I'm mentally preparing for the middle of September.

But heck, everything is so different...maybe I'll be 2 weeks late?

We are super excited to welcome this little bundle to our family, whenever he/she gets here.

I understand that by posting this on April 1st, one might believe it's a prank.

But those who live here can vouch for the fact that I've spent the last 3 months on my couch...

I don't have the energy to photoshop or procure fake medicine bottles for an April Fool's joke,

I've been on my couch afterall.

xoxo

My son the pacifist.

Roman is at that age.

He knows exactly what he wants,

and realizes that many times he is powerless to get his way.

Enter: the two-year-old-tantrum.

But Roman has certainly perfected the whole thing.

Because he doesn't really know how to throw a true tantrum.

He doesn't whine, or scream, or kick his legs like most of his peers.

Instead, if something is unsatisfactory to the point of tantrum,

he drops prostrate to the ground...

squeezes his eyes shut as tightly as they will go...

and then doesn't move a muscle.

not a sound.

for at least a minute.

(or until you giggle)

Various surface materials are of no concern to him.

Concrete, tile, carpet, linoleum...it's all the same really.

And for some reason, besides being totally amused by it,

and madly in love with the little guy for it,

every time I see him do this I can't help but think...

he would have made an outstanding addition to the civil rights movement.

Happy Birthday to me!

(the remains of our St. Patrick's Day cake, but a festive stand-in for a picture-less post)

I have a lot of updating to do here in this little online journal.

BIG things, but one at a time I suppose.

I turned 30!

I feel great. And not sad, weird or old.

(I tease my husband because he did not like turning 30)

It's a milestone sure, one that I am more than happy to make.

I celebrated with my family on Sunday,

and went on a hot date with my husband yesterday (my actual birthday).

We ate fish (thankyouverymuch) and then he took me shopping.

When I got home I discovered my mom had folded the mountain of laundry

that was piling up in my home.

And that right there could have been the best birthday gift ever.

Wait, I lie.

I received two emails from my parents,

both expressing their feelings and memories of the day I was born.

March 21, 1981.

30 years ago.

Time flies.

Second only to Micheal Jordan

Zach's basketball coach was patient, organized and enthusiastic. At the very first practice he said, "Welcome parents, our team's name is going to be "Chaos"...and you'll see why in just a minute."

It was a great season. I could hardly handle the cuteness of those little kids lined up in their shorts and shoes.

Zach took everything very, very seriously.

(including the gatorade and snack afterwards:)

He practiced hard and couldn't wait for Saturday games.

And he loved watching his uncle Kyle (who plays in college) each week as well.

He knows every player's name and number.

You could say that basketball has been on his brain this winter.

As evidenced by one of my favorite things Zachary has ever said.

While driving with David he commented thoughtfully,

"Dad, Micheal Jordan is the #1 basketball player in the whole world.

Then #2 would probably be mom.

And Kyle is #3.

(pause)

Actually, Kyle might be #2 because he is a boy."

Ahhh, to think that in his mind, (if only for a moment), I am second to Micheal Jordan.

I love it.

The BEST kind of "before" and "afters"

I don't often post shoots I do for other people, but I keep coming back to these cheerful colors and that beautiful little boy.

Congrats Angela and Matt!