Eat Dessert First

Those of you that know my husband, Tyson, know that he is a dessert fanatic.  For those of you who have never met him, you would probably only need to meet him once (especially if food was involved) and you would be well aware of his beloved affection for sweets.

Adjectives commonly used by Tyson when describing good desserts:  "Quite enjoyable, quite fantastic, moist, heavenly, delicious, scrumptious, life-changing, and the best...Famazing."  (No, that is not a typo...there is supposed to be a "F" before the word "amazing" there.)  Me typing those words don't do his descriptions justice...the true experience is to hear him describe a dessert in person.  It's pretty entertaining & some of you are probably smiling right now because you know what I'm talking about!

Awhile back, he started this unique habit of getting dessert first when we would go out to eat.  Now you might think, "Why on earth would anyone want to spoil their appetite with some sweet confection?"

His response would be, "Well, you know when you go to dinner with people and by the end of the meal, nobody has room for dessert?  This solves that problem!  And it tastes that much better since you're soooo hungry."

A lot of servers look at him like he's crazy or they totally think he's just kidding.  It's normally the first time they have ever had anyone ask for dessert first.  So jump on the band wagon...Tyson's starting a new trend!

Our friend, Josh found the sign above at a Cracker Barrel restaurant and of course, he had to get it for Tyson since it's his motto and all.  Thanks Josh.

Parents are Just People Too

One day many years ago, I had an 'Ah-ha' moment and realized that my parents are just people too.  It's funny how that happens.  All of a sudden, it just clicks and it's like, "Whoa..."

There is no instruction manual that pops out along with a baby although I wish there was! 

The plain and simple truth is that everyone makes mistakes. 

I'm scared of the mistakes that I'm bound to make!  I've recently heard a couple stories from mothers that I know about their emotions and anger getting the best of them in situations with their kids and I want to try to prevent that as much as possible.

I found this in a Young Womens lesson:

The time we spend at home and the atmosphere of the home have a powerful influence on our lives. Here our children form their habits and ideas. Dorothy Law Nolte wrote:

Children Learn what they Live
“If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
“If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
“If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
“If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty.
“If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
“If a child lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
“If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
“If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
“If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
“If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
“If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world”

Branch Bug

I believe this to be the coolest bug I've ever seen. The picture doesn't quite do it justice but if you looked at it in person, it looked exactly like a little branch.  How clever.

Paper Art

Yesterday, I made this & stuck it in a frame. It's a wedding gift for a friend.  I like making cards & stuff.  I wish I had a program to design announcements and cards.

Check out the saying...I love it.  "Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same."  How romantic.

I've been making cards for a little while now.  The one below is one I made for a wedding card.  I always personalize them.  I made like 5 cards a couple months ago because a bunch of my friends had babies.  I wish I would have scanned them!  They were all different and all really cute.  I also add rhinestones to them as a final touch.

Finally Adjusted

So after 7 months, I finally feel like I've adjusted to moving to San Antonio.  I guess it's pretty normal for it to take that long when you uproot yourself from one place to another.

I also feel like I've adjusted to being a stay at home Mom which is a good feeling.  I'm enjoying it more and more.

I'm enjoying my ward and my calling in Young Womens a lot more also.  I feel a lot more comfortable which makes a huge difference.  I feel like I've made a lot of friends and there are a ton of people our age in our ward.  I'm glad I'm not really shy so I just introduce myself to people all the time.

It's just nice to be over the adjustment period.  Change is hard- especially a lot of change at the same time.

Another change is coming...
My baby is about to turn one.  I'm not that excited for her to get older.  Part of me wishes she could stay itty bitty forever, but on the other hand, I'm excited for our relationship to develop as she goes through the different stages of life.  I'm excited for her to one day want to cuddle with me!  Right now I get slapped, kicked, and bit a lot.  I've figured out that B's way of showing love is by patting.  Sometimes she pats my shoulder when I'm holding her.  It's pretty funny.

I'm grateful that I've been able to stay home with her to watch her grow and change.  I love how I know her well since I'm with her everyday.  I know that when she's eating but starts acting like she's done, you can get her to eat at least ten more bites by singing to her.  Lately, her song of choice is "M-I-C...K-E-Y...M-O-U-S-E!  Mickey Mouse!  (Donald Duck!)  Mickey Mouse!  (Donald Duck!)  Da da da da da da da da da da!"  Repeated a bunch of times.

I know that when her head is turned sideways while she's eating, if you turn the spoon towards her mouth, she'll still take a bite.  I know that you have to add a bit of salt to most of her baby food in order for her to eat it.  I know that familiar whimper that indicates when she's tired and that Dora is her favorite cartoon.  She smiles as soon as she recognizes that Dora is on and she kind of dances while sitting down when the backpack song comes on.  Very cute.

I'm grateful that I recognize my divine role as a mother. That I can appreciate the small, fleeting moments of pure happiness that rest on me for only a few seconds.  It's during these moments of tranquility that everything makes sense and that I can see clearly.  I wouldn't trade these moments for anything in the world.  It's a little glimpse into heaven.

I love rocking Blakeley in my chair and just sitting with her.  It's probably the best part of my day.  I love when I hold her and dance around the room with her.  She loves that too.

I love motherhood.

Tug-o-war

Blakeley: Hmmm, I'm going to go pester my older sister & take her bone!

Phoebe:  What the heck are you doing?  That's MY bone!

Blakeley:  Not for long!

Phoebe:  Awww, man...

Blakeley:  Yeah, that's right! I took your bone. Whatcha gonna do about it?!  Neener, neener, neener!

Phoebe:  Oooooh-eeeee, you just wait!  You won't have it for long!

Blakeley:  We'll see about that!

Phoebe:  Yesssss!  Ha ha!  Sucka!

Blakeley:  Awww man... 

Phoebe:  What?  You want this?!

Blakeley:  Puh-lease, Pheebs?  Please, please can I have it?

Phoebe:  In your dreams, tootz!

Blakeley:  Fine...we'll do it my way!

Blakeley:  Ha, ha, ha!

Phoebe:  Awww, shucks.  

Blakeley:  Oh Phoebe, here you go.  We can share.  I love you, sis.

Phoebe:  Awww, thanks Blakeley.  I love you too.

The End.

Baby Daddy

For Father's Day, Tyson received this love note along with his breakfast:

Blakeley got Daddy this:

 

 and this: 

The card reads:
For Daddy From Your Little One

All I have to do is hear your voice, or feel your strong, warm hug, or see how you work so hard to take good care of me...and I know exactly what it's like to be loved by the very best daddy of all.  Happy Father's Day.  XXOO.

Blakeley then wrote this heartfelt message inside the card:
Dada, I love when you play with me and throw me in the air.  I love when you hold me.  I wub you. Love, Blakeley

From me:

The card reads:
A Father's Day Poem for My Husband

Our love will last forever, we know it in our hearts.  Our bond cannot be broken...it's stronger than your farts.  (...and that's really saying something.)  Happy Father's Day!

We had some good laughs.  It was a good day.

My Heavenly Father Loves Me

With Father's Day this past Sunday, it caused me to reflect on not only the earthly Fathers in my life, but my Heavenly Father as well.

One of my favorite primary songs is “My Heavenly Father Loves Me."  I sing it to Blakeley all the time.

Whenever I hear the song of a bird

Or look at the blue, blue sky,

Whenever I feel the rain on my face
Or the wind as it rushes by,
Whenever I touch a velvet rose

Or walk by our lilac tree,

I’m glad that I live in this beautiful world

Heav’nly Father created for me.

He gave me my eyes that I might see

The color of butterfly wings.

He gave me my ears that I might hear

The magical sound of things.

He gave me my life, my mind, my heart:

I thank him rev’rently

For all his creations, of which I’m a part.

Yes, I know Heav’nly Father loves me.

How can you read these lyrics or sing this song and not feel the spirit? 

I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father.  I'm grateful that He knows the beginning to the end and that He enables us to grow and learn.  Some of the things we have to endure in this life are not very fun at all but I'm grateful for the people He places in our paths to help us along the way.  I'm grateful for the Plan of Salvation and for the knowledge that I have about this life.  I want to live with Heavenly Father again someday. 

Super Bob...The Everyday Hero

  

To my fantastic Father in law...Super Bob.

One word...Selfless. 

When I look at the picture above, it's a perfect representation of how he is...he always puts everyone else in front of him.

He's always doing quiet acts of service for others.

Last October, Tyson and I went to Cali for my high school reunion and for Blakeley's baby blessing.  We were running late to my reunion and we were still supposed to go grocery shopping for the blessing the next day.  The next day was Sunday so we couldn't go to the store. 

The hero saves the day...Bob went grocery shopping for us as we got ready to head out to my reunion.  I was truly touched and impressed by his willingness to do this for us.  That's just the way he is...always genuinely WILLING and happy to help.  This is just one example of the many times he has gone above and beyond for us.  Time and time again, I've witnessed him go the extra mile for one of his kids.  

His response when you thank him for something is, "Glad to do it."

I've adopted that response.

I understand why Tyson is such a positive person.  He has a fantastic role model in his Dad.

Thank you, Super Bob for being such a great example and for always going above and beyond for us.

We love you.  Happy Father's Day!

P.S. His wife is the exact same way! Amazing people.

Ken's Darling Angel

To my Dad...The person I was named after and who said that Kendra stood for "Ken's Darling Angel."

 I loved when we fed the ducks when I was little

You taught me how to swim
You taught me how to ride a bike

You taught me how to rollerskate

You taught me how to work hard.

I now understand a valuable lesson that you ingrained in me...

that you appreciate things that you have to work hard for.

I walked in my room one day when I was about 16 and found this note that you left me

You used a glitter glue pen, how cute.

I remember feeling special and I really liked it.

I still have it.

Thank you for telling me that you loved me as I grew
up and for giving me hugs.

I remember that when I was little, I thought you were really handsome.

I love you, Dad.  Happy Father's Day.

XOXO

Daddy Love

Daddy - a Daughter's First Love

To my wonderful husband-- Happy 1st Father's Day!

What an amazing year this has been~ full of many life changing events and challenges (birth of our first child, my retirement, moving halfway across the country, new ward at church, etc...) but also filled with moments of  joy beyond measure.

I'm so grateful for your hard work that allows me to stay home and raise our child.  I'm so grateful for your incredible patience with me. 

I'm so grateful that our daughter will grow up with the Priesthood in our home.  I'm grateful that she can and will get special Priesthood blessings from you anytime she needs one including one before each new school year starts. 

I'm so glad that she will get to grow up with such a positive and happy role model and such a grounded man in her life.  I'm grateful for your example and for your laid back approach to life.

I'm grateful for the way you "let things go" because it's a "waste of energy" to do anything different.

Our daughter is a lucky girl to have you in her life and so am I.

Blakeley's Room

Daddy's Little Princess

First, an update on Blakeley sleeping in her own room last night in her own crib for the first time...she did great!  She slept like a champ.  I went in at about midnight and took a picture of her and she woke up so I fed her and then she went right back to sleep.  She then slept until about 8:15am.  I, on the other hand had a crappy night's sleep because I was on edge and any little static noise I heard from the monitor woke me up for the first hour that I was laying down.  I exchanged the sound monitor for a video monitor and I absolutely LOVE it!  Best purchase, hands down, in a long time!  If I had it last night, I probably would have slept better. I'm sure it will get easier for me from here on out.

Here is Blakeley's room! 

Pom pom fun

Mr. Giraffe

Peaceful corner

Owlivia  (Thanks Shannon!  We LOVE this!)

 

We use this often

 "Love at first sight" sonogram picture

Sunshine

I love this picture

Light fixture

A room fit for a Princess...Princess Blakeley, that is.

P.S. Happy 11 months Blakeley!  My baby is growing up...