The Little Things

I was just reflecting on how much I love the little things in life. I am so grateful for those moments that just happen in the day to day run of things. Today was a tough day. I don't know if it was the humidity or what, but my girls were having a very hard time behaving. Jared put them to bed tonight before heading off to play racquetball. I sat down to try and clear my head for the day. Here are a few that I am especially thankful for today:

- Hearing Hyrum’s baby squeals and giggles when I kiss his tummy or tickle his feet. He is so ticklish! I can’t help but laugh at his pure enjoyment. He is at the cutest stage right now and I just want to hold him so close and have him never become a 2 year old!
- Listening to Jadyn singing her songs as she plays all day long. I love that my home is always full of music.
- Hearing Jenna pray for the really important things in life like: her baby dolls, eating popsicles, watching Elmo, the food, and her red shoes.
- Dancing with Jared in the freezer isle of the grocery store as part of our date night Friday. (No kidding.We went in for some Klondike Bars and danced and turned like we were in the middle of a very romantic dance number. I was just following his lead…) It was a blast! What would YOU do for a Klondike Bar?!?
- Dropping everything and dancing around the living room with my kids any time “Ever, Ever After” by Carrie Underwood comes on. (I have it on my blog playlist and our computer song list.) We twirl, dip, and sing at the top of our lungs. I am always tired (especially when Jadyn asks if we can do it again – for the 11th time in a row) and grinning from ear to ear when we are done.

It is those precious little things that mean so much to me, probably more than I can begin to express in words. I have a wonderful family. Even when things are difficult and crazy (as they often are) I live for those little moments that make my heart sing.

Spotlight on Jenna

I have decided to spotlight some special people in our lives. I will call it Spotlight Saturday and try to keep it up. As a family we are blessed to know so many wonderful individuals. So with that in mind, I give you the first Spotlight Saturday.

Spotlight this week is on Jenna! The other day when I asked her how old she was she said, "Two," then she paused, looked right at me and with a huge grin continued, "No, I am Seven!"

Here are a few things about our resident 2 (going on 7) year old. These are some of her current favorites. Anything in "" she actually said when I asked. Other things I added just because I know - I am the Mom. Again, this is more for journaling and record keeping. She will never be this age again, and I don't want to forget some of the little things.

Color -

"Yellow"

(She really loves yellow and chooses yellow everything - toys, clothes, etc.)

Food -

"Popsicles."

"String Cheese." (actually any kind of cheese)

"Pizza!" (Especially when we make it at home and she helps with the toppings.)

Chocolate (M&M's, Chocolate Chip Cookies...she isn't picky)

Games -

"Ring Around the Rosie"

Hide and Go Seek/Chasing with Jadyn and Mommy

"Horsey!" with Daddy

Activities -

"Swimming!"

"I wanna go Swing!" (This girls loves to be in a swing.)
Dress Up - specifically wearing shoes (mine, Jared's, Jadyn's, or play shoes)

Mommy School (Project Time- coloring, cutting, play dough)

Puzzles

Places-

"I go Grandma & Grandpa's house."

"Nana & Papa's house!"

"I can ride the Carousel!" (She likes to go to the mall, zoo, or park to ride the carousel.)

"I go to Nursery!" (at church)

Books -
"Barney's Hats." (We read it this morning.)

"Uh-Oh, Jadyn! book."

Shows-

"Barney!" (any show, any episode)

What's the Name of That Song - Sesame Street

"Elmo!" (anything)

Songs -

"Child of God."

"Twinkle, Twinkle." (Little Star)

The Rubber Duck Song (Sesame Street)

Jenna Marie Song (to Whinny the Pooh's Theme)

Toys -

"My Babies!" (Baby Dolls & Stroller)

"My (Little) Ponies!"

Little Animals (Noah's Ark, Littlest Pet Shoppe)
Whatever Jadyn was just playing with

Favorite Non Toy -
Markers (She mostly colors on paper. Sometimes she is a body artist. Hyrum even had beautiful blue and green "art" on his head last week. Thank goodness for washable markers!)
"I love my Elle!" (the pink elephant/blanket)

Expressions -

"I can do it!"
"My Turn!"
"No!" (She is 2...)
"You Got It, Babe!"
"Don't Worry, Be Happy."
"I mam so strong!"

"Don't forget I love you!"

Nicknames-

Jenna Bug or Bug

Skinny Minnie

Soothers -

"Blee (Care Bears Blanket) & Juice (Apple Juice).

Sleeping -

She takes one nap in the afternoon for a few hours. She needs about 11+ hours of sleep at night or she is CRANKY. (8p.m. to 7 a.m. ish)

She always sleeps with Blee, juice, and lately Elle

Proudest Moments-
Swimming Under Water.
I don't know if she'll agree, but this summer she overcame a huge fear of water. She never even used to like getting her hair/head wet especially if she had to lay down in the tub. She would cry and fight whenever her head got wet. Well, thanks to Nana and Aunt Colleen's swimming lessons, I have watched Jenna conquer her fear of getting her head wet and actually swim under water like a little fish! I am so proud of her!

Other little tidbits-

Jenna is so sweet to watch with Hyrum and her babies. She feeds them, rocks them, covers them with blankets and sings to them. Hyrum almost outweighs Jenna now, so she has to be quick to cover him up and give him his bottle before he scoots off.

She likes to chase Jadyn all over the house and loves it when Jadyn wants her to play toys and games. She is starting to do pretend play really well. Her favorite question to ask when she is playing with a new toy is, "What's your name?"

She and Jadyn sometimes fight over toys, whose turn it is to say prayers, or books. Fortunately it doesn't last long and they are best friends again in no time.

Jenna is smart. She knows all of her colors and basic shapes. She can count to 10 and sometimes I hear her counting to 20 but if I ask her to repeat it, she looks at me like I am a crazy lady. She can spell her name most of the time. Sometimes she spells it J-e-d-y-n (I guess she heard Jadyn spell her name too much.

Jenna loves to help Mommy with household chores. She likes to cook, clean, and do dishes. I appreciate her enthusiasm!

She is polite. She remembers most of the time to say "Please" and "Thank You". I have even caught her reminding Jadyn to say please or thank you a few times.

Jenna is still a snuggle bug. She loves to be on my lap, snuggled into my side, or being rocked. I think that is why she loves to go to Grandma's house so much. She has Grandma Great and Grandma that take time to rock her and snuggle her to pieces.


She is still shy. I thought that she would start to grow out of her shyness, but Jenna is so shy around people (immediate family excluded). She barely talks or is audible when asked a question. This coming from a girl that speaks complete sentences and talks all of the time at home.

She makes the cutest animal noises. When she is playing with her animals it is adorable to listen to.

She is clever enough to be funny. When you ask her what color Daddy's truck is, she grins and says, "Green!" then she laughs until she is persuaded to say a different color. In the end she'll look right at you and say, "Daddy's truck is Red. Green is so funny." Silly Girl.

I love her expressive, blue eyes. She has always had big blue eyes. It is so much fun to watch them laugh, and it breaks my heart to see those same eyes full of sadness and tears. The eyes are the window to the soul and her soul is full of joy, love, and tenderness.

She has a squinty smile that is so stinking cute. Her whole face squints and she says, "Cheeeeeese!" It makes me laugh whenever I see it.

Jenna is such a wonderful piece of our family puzzle. She is bright, sweet (except when she is being a terrible two), and so full of life and energy. She is a monkey and that is sometimes a challenge for me, but I wouldn't have her any other way.

Jenna, don't ever forget, your family absolutely loves and adores you!

Wordless Wednesday II

Independence Day

On the 4th of July we get a chance to reflect on the blessings of freedom. I feel so blessed to live in this great country. I am acutely aware of the freedoms that we enjoy. I have seen first hand the effects of bad leaders/government. My family lived in Germany both before and after the wall came down. It was a night and day difference between East/West. As a people we are so blessed! I am grateful to my father and grandfathers for their military service. I am proud of my family military heritage. I know that the freedoms that I enjoy are due in a large part to those that have worked to uphold the values I hold sacred. I am grateful for those who have organized and faithfully cared for our county and freedoms over the years. I am glad to have some time to reflect on those blessings that I tend to take for granted in my day to day life.

Today we kept things low key. Jared worked and I spent the day having fun with the kids. It is amazing how quickly you get back into “real life” after a vacation. The kids were all decked out in adorable red, white and blue. We had a photo shoot just before our family BBQ. It is tradition to take family 4th of July pictures. We have done it ever since Jadyn’s first Independence Day 4 years ago. This year was Hyrum’s first 4th! I can’t believe how quickly these kids are growing! I have to thank Nana for the perfect outfits. Thank you for helping my kids all look adorable!

Happy 4th of July! May we all take a moment to express our gratitude for our freedom and all those who have worked to uphold our nation over the years.

Viva Mexico!

Last week Jared and I took a trip to Mexico. We were so blessed to be able to get away for our 7th anniversary without any children! This was more like a 2nd honeymoon and it was without incidents (like our first honeymoon). Oh the memories!!! We actually had some uninterrupted time together and we have needed that for awhile.



We stayed in a beautiful resort/condo right on the beach. The view from our 11th floor balcony was unbelievable. I could not get enough of that ocean view!

Our resort was fabulous. We loved being outside. We could swim in our choice of pools, float on the lazy river, or walk the 20 extra steps to the ocean. Tough choices… When we wanted to go back inside, the condo was a nice, cool 77 degrees with all of the amenities that we could want. (I have serious master bath envy…) Again, the view was spectacular – especially at sunset!

Jared and I were treated to a 5 Star dining experience and that was a blast. Lobster Quesedillas, Fresh Shrimp, Pecan-crusted fish, and the most delicious dessert we have had in forever… We love good food and everything that we tried was divine. Yum. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

We spent some time at the market and bought some little things for the kids. Jared served his mission in Mexico and got to use his Spanish everywhere we went. Although he swears that real Mexico is nothing like our resort vacation. After hearing so many of his stories, I am all about the resort vacation.

It was a perfect trip. Even though we were only gone for a few days, we missed our kids and kept talking about how much fun it would be to bring them down. It didn’t help that we ran into a family with 2 little girls Jadyn and Jenna’s age playing in the sand with their Daddy. The mom was holding her little baby and laughing at her family. I just about cried. It was so nice to get away with my hubby. I was surprised that I missed my kids so much!

All and all, it was a fabulous vacation. We had a blast! I am ready to go back again already. I have to thank my family for taking such good care of the kids and Jared’s friend for the use of his condo. Thank you a hundred times over! It was our best anniversary ever! Lucky #7!

It is nice that Rocky Point is only 4 hours away…maybe we’ll hit the beach again this summer!

Wordless Wednesday I