feelin' crafty

Remember a few weeks ago when Forrest was working a million hours? Well, while he was at the office, this is how I spent my evenings. And I need blogging credit for it. After all, it’s not every day that I get my craft on (and a few of you have inquired about the bows/clippies, which makes me feel good because when has any one ever inquired about my craftiness?).

Bows/clippies:

On a shirt:

Instructions:

Note: I used the thinnest ribbon. For the bows - ditch the shirt and glue the flower on a clip.

Painting cork:

Fun with mod podge:

Patriotism:

Whitewashing frames/framing scrapbook paper:

i'm going to miss you + 2 favorites

Stop it! Stop making me cry.

It comes randomly. An email from a friend - tears. A quick call from friend - tears. A picture of a friend - tears. A text message - tears. A thought of a late night with a friend - tears. Looking at a friend's blog - you guessed it, tears (I promise I’m not a basket case). Thankfully, these tearful spells only last seconds, but still. Maybe if all of my friends starting being horribly rude I’ll stop crying.

So, is it possible to be so excited about the next chapter and still be really sad about what we’re leaving? I love this place. I love our ward. I love my friends. But I’m still so excited to go. Solution: COME VISIT US! Deal?

+++

Two favorites (I would post more, but I’ve got to buy some rugs and return some rugs, and buy some lamps, and unpack and pack and do some laundry and post stuff on craigslist and blogging is way more fun when you're sleep deprived and have a bazzillion things to do maybe i am a little bit of a basket case runonsentence).

What was I saying? Oh.

Favorite place to buy produce:



Favorite dance from Wednesday:


Back to moving stuff.

day 4

Day 4 was short.

We ate breakfast at Kitchenette. Next time I'll get an omelet.

The Frick Collection:

If you come visit us, you HAVE to go to the Frick Collection. It was INCREDIBLE! I don't want to be hasty, but it might be my favorite art collection (I would say museum, but it's Mr. Frick's collection). I'm kinda glad they didn't allow pictures inside because I would have taken a million. Really, we loved this place.

We were hoping to make it over to the New York Public Library again, but we ran out of time. So, we walked through Herald Square and then grabbed lunch at MacarOn.

The best part was speaking French to the ladies that worked there. The food wasn't amazing. In fact, every time we ate out Forrest would say why would I spend money eating out when you make such delicious food at home. Aw, thanks, but I don't think I could top the Arepas at Caracas or custard at Shake Shack.

Then we flew home to our babies.

Needless to say,
I really, really do. GREATEST. CITY. EVER.

BIG, GINORMOUS THANK YOU to G-ma Connie, G-pa Bob, Summer and Logan for watching E&A. They were really sick the whole time we were gone (major GI issues). I'm not going to think about how much I'm going to miss Connie or I'll start crying again (oh, great, there I go).

Time to pack up our apartment.

day 3: the day we took 210 pictures

Day 3 is responsible for the burning in my calves. We did so much.

(Warning: I am complete ignoring the "less is more" rule for this post.)

Canal Street:
No, we didn't go. And we definitely didn't buy a knock-off Prada purse from a shady guy in a van. Nope, we're better than that. We only buy real stuff on 5th Ave.

And this isn't the picture we took right after not stuffing the purse we didn't buy in our backpack.

Washington Square Park:

If you see a movie with a dance-off-in-Washington-Square-Park scene - look for us.

If there's a fire, we're good.

East Village:

I think High School Abbie would have loved the East Village. Momma Abbie enjoyed the food, graffiti, and light posts; but wouldn't take her kids there on a regular basis.

Kathryn recommended Caracas. It was the meal winner of the trip. We'll be back for sure.

drool.

Kathryn also recommended Butter Lane. Very good.

this picture makes me laugh. so hardcore with that big smile and updo.

Top of the Rock:

We'd heard Top of the Rock was a bit better than the Empire State Building (shorter lines, you can actually see the Empire State Building, cheaper). We enjoyed.

I can't believe we're going to live on the other side of that park!

looking downtown.
I think Forrest might be a better photographer than I am, which makes me grumpy, then happy that he'll take pictures.

ready for a nap.

St. Patrick's Cathedral:

St. Patrick's Cathedral just might be my favorite cathedral we've been to. It was beautiful.

Cental Park:

F's favorite part of Central Park: the cellist by Bethesda fountain.

As you can imagine, there are some pretty weird people hanging out at this particular spot, but this little lady was so cute.

Central Park is amazing! I can't wait to go with E&A.

Our Pilgrimage to Shake Shack:

The best part - Concrete Jungle custard thing - so delicious!
We were not disappointed.

We didn't win tickets for Shakespeare in the Park, so we headed home for some much needed rest.

Day 3 was full of Subway rides. That Forrest is already pretty good at the transportation stuff. You'd think he's lived here his whole life.

days 1&2

We’re back and completely exhausted. Burning legs, blistered toes, tired eyes, and super EXCITED for our upcoming adventure!

The original purpose of this trip was to find a place to live; but since the heavens smiled upon us with student housing (seriously, HUGE blessing), we decided to play tourist for four days without the kids (!).

Day One-

Dinner at John's Pizzeria:

The pizza was pretty good, I'm sure it's not the best in NY, but it was way cool to eat in an old church.

West Side Story:

(fun factoid: I played Anybodys my Junior year of H.S., so it was fun to watch on Broadway)
The dancing was our favorite part. Those ladies can dance.

Browsing Times Square after the show:

Rockefeller Plaza:

Happy Fourth of July!

That night we stayed with Erin, Matt, and Fox - I'll tell ya, those three are cool cats.

Day Two - Sunday-

Church:
In our soon-to-be ward. Incredible people! We have heard amazing things about this ward. I know the people are going make the adjustment so much easier. Honestly, what would we do if we weren't Mormon? Huge blessings left and right.

Quiet (Ha! not quiet at all) Sunday Stroll on the Brooklyn Bridge:

It was windy and bright.
The view was amazing. I want to do this walk at night next time.

Exploring our new neighborhood:

P&S campus.
(I got emotional several times thinking about about us finally fulfilling Forrest's life long dream. Oh dear, I'm crying again. I'm so excited for him, and me, and our little family! wipe, wipe, sniff, sniff. k, i'm good.)

Washington Heights is at the very tip top of Manhattan. We've heard it's kinda the ghetto, but we were surprised - it's not bad at all. We felt safe the entire time we were there, and it didn't seem any dirtier than other Manhattan neighborhoods.

We also got to peek inside our apartment. It is ridiculous! In a good way. The view, the size, the doormen, security people, the whole thing - so SO great! Prepare for loads of pictures once we get settled.

We stayed the night at our soon-to-be neighbor's apartment, Lindsay and Robert (he is starting his 2nd year of med school at P&S and she teaches in Brooklyn). I can already tell we are going to be good friends - they are awesome!

Days 3&4 coming tomorrow...or later today, since it's past midnight.

can you tell it's hard for me to say good-bye to utah?

(Side note before I begin the post: if you read our blog and you don't see your blog on our blog roll, leave a comment and we'll add you. I got a lot of "hey, I look at your blog all the time" and "that cake was amazing!" but I didn't even know you blogged. So, let's keep in touch both ways, deal? Thank you.)

Other Highlights:

• Seeing almost every person we’re related to that resides in Utah.
• Great conversations.
• Cousins Galore! Did I say that already?
  
• Driving up and down and up and down and up and down the valley in my Mom’s Jeep. Driving a lot = naps for the over-tired children and eyeful of beauty for us. Man, Utah is beautiful.
• Delicious BBQ.
• Stacy's cookies.
• Telling everyone they have to come visit us in NYC. Really, come!
• Temple Square.
• Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house. So beautiful inside, and the cookies were good too.
  
• Watching movies.
• Trying to name cousins we haven’t seen in a million years.
• Going to campus.
  
• Chocolate milk.
  
• 9 ball.
• Watching SYTYCD with Tami, Melissa, and Erika.
  
• Food, including Café Rio and Kneaders.
• Not cooking or cleaning.
• Having people tell us our children are adorable - it never gets old.
  
• NYC Hipster tutorial from a true NYC hipster.
• Seeing all the temples – there are so many temples in Utah. So many! I love it!
  
• Grandma White’s 3 day B-day celebration, especially the program.
• Rock Band!
• Playing with Kaci's camera.
  
• Randomly meeting Angie, who lives in NYC, at church in Orem – the world of Mormon blogging is so small. (Angie, I’m excited to be your friend in real life. That was seriously so crazy meeting you like that. We should have taken a picture.)
• Barefoot basketball.
• The flight home – E&A slept the whole way.

Another great trip to Utah. Big, fat thanks to all! We love you and miss you already!

And a BTW: my children are usually really sweet, I promise. Audrie’s nose isn’t normally that productive and she usually doesn't cry very much, and Eli isn’t always that whiny.

the reason

Happy Birthday Grandma White!
We love you!

i really like my sister

Melissa
Lyla & Olivia

I miss you already.

her and his utah

Part One with Hers:

• SoJo (the most righteous city in the world - two temples. Just sayin')
• Provo
• Sandy
• Draper

Snugglin' with G-ma Seeley.

G-ma Cathryn trying to "help" Audrie pose.

Uncle Cade. A fellow Yankees' fan and hot dog hater.

Bro Spencer with cute baby Keeler. I need more snuggle time with that baby.

Part Two with His:

• Orem
• Garland

Forrest, Forrest, Audrey and Audrie. Jean and Jean were MIA. Name stealing is a family tradition.

Oh, Eli loves that Uncle Logan and Aunt Summer.

The beautiful farm house in Garland.

Rural Utah fun.

Eli was in that exact spot for almost 3 hours.

e in ut

His favorite parts:

• Temples: “I see a tempo! Wook! Ango Rariyi. He say come to da tempo. Wet’s go see more tempos” (Translation: I see a temple. Look. Angle Moroni. He says come to the temple. Let’s go see more temples.)
• Cousins galore!
• Bunnies.
• Playing outside sans heat and sweat.
• Candy in the big, new car.
• Playing blocks and motorcycles with Grandpa Terry.
• Anything to do with Uncle Josh.
• Getting presents.
  
• Bubbles at Great G-pa and G-ma King’s farm.
• Playing drums, and telling Mommy she needs to sing right now.
  
• Flying on a JET (not an airplane – I was corrected many times).

He had loads of fun. Did I even need to say that?

mrs. bindergarten takes the beehive state

(yep, she has yet another nickname. are we dooming her to an identity crisis by age six?)

She doesn't like grass.

But she does like apples, cousins, dressing up, bunnies, flying, smoochies, and cookies.

a few things we found in utah

chapped lips:

boogers:

my Mom's wickedly awesome '80s jewelry:

weather nice enough to find eggs in the backyard tree:

the greatest rock band on the planet:

incredibly beautiful mountains:
(i seriously could not get over how beautiful utah is)

and a boat-load of temples:

This is only the beginning of many Utah posts.

simplified agenda for summer '09 + a horrible day

To Do
(is it obvious that I like making lists?)

• Family trip to Utah (!): June 20th – 28th
• One more trip to NYC to check out the neighborhood (Forrest wants to make sure I’m really OK living in Washington Heights): July 4th-7th
• Go through our stuff.
• Sell stuff: washer, dryer, Gordon (a.k.a. our '91 Buick Skylark), etc - interested?
• Give stuff away: toys, clothes, baby stuff, etc - interested?
• Buy stuff.
• Pack. Hopefully an organized packing and not an all-boxes-labeled-misc packing.
  
• Plan road trip from Texas to NYC (we’ve decided to take Elle, our Corolla).
  
• Help plan (I haven’t been very helpful) Girls’ NYC Weekend: Forrest’s Mom, 4 sisters, and 2 sisters-in-law will be there the weekend we arrive!
• Say goodbye to our wonderful family and friends.
• Enjoy every second we have left in the great state of Texas.
• Move.
• Be a kind, loving, functional, effective momma and wife while I (we) do the above.

Needless to say, things are getting busy around here.

+++
(this should be another post, but I'm feeling lazy)

Yesterday was a horrible day! Horrible! Forrest has been working insane (!) hours, we aren't getting enough sleep, someone's been putting CRANK in E&A's milk, and this momma was losing it. I put the kids to bed and cried/prayed in the bathroom.

One hour later, Ashley brought over Pride and Prejudice (the A&E version) and let me vent to her and told me that I was still a good mom. Then Forrest brought home a delicious dessert from La Madeline. This morning Brittney dropped off a yummy treat; and then we got our NYC housing info in the mail (the apartment is only a bit smaller than the one we live in now. Only one bathroom to clean! All of the stuff we're taking will fit! Hoorah!). Today is going a lot better. I'm feeling grateful for answered prayers.

neckli

plural for necklace.

Hosting a Mardi Gras party?

T.P. - practical accessory.

Even you know this is a bad idea.

Nebulizer tubing? Um...I don't think so.

Power cord? That's where I draw the line, sister. Look at your expression - you know this isn't safe. Beauty doesn't mean that kind of pain.

friday favorites: something old, new, borrowed, blue, etc.

Something old: my ring (it's the only thing to do with weddings in this post).

Something new: "fwog swippers":

Something borrowed: Seinfeld from the library. This show is really funny, just in case you didn't know.

Something blue: I did it - I own skinny jeans, and they have a high-ish waist.

Something green: I found a perfect green t-shirt...finally. (Target, I love you!)

Something yummy: whole wheat tortilla + turkey bacon + avocado + tomato + lettuce + green bell pepper + cucumber + Italian dressing + mozzarella = yummy wraps.

Something sweet: sushi treats - Rice Krispie treats, chocolate chips, fruit roll-up (do you see the Craisins? - don't do it - I picked them out, then they were yummy). And they're Eli approved.
(Jamie gets all the credit for this one.)

Something funny: watching Eli prepare for the severe weather.

This is how we roll when a wicked storm hits. You've gotta be comfortable when you're preparing for a possible tornado. Good thing I just cleaned the bathroom.

Note: severe weather is not funny, kinda scary, actually; but Eli was funny - it was the best night of his week. I'm pretty sure he thought it was a slumber party. And did I mention Forrest was at work...until 3:00am? It's been a rough week for him (and me).


And something exciting: we have an apartment in NYC! Student housing in Washington Heights. Whew! B.F.B. (big, fat blessing)

health schmealth

eosinophilic esophagitis under a microscope

Let’s chat about that EGD I had two weeks ago (thanks for all the lovin’ and concern).

Long story short:

I got the EGD on Wednesday.
Out-patient thing. I’m hilarious while on drugs and I like to ask the same questions over and over – “Is it serious?” “What time is it?”
The doctor doesn’t give us much info. He wants to see me back in his office to talk about treatment, and he wants Forrest to be there with me. Apparently that’s why I thought it could be serious.
Have the follow-up appointment on Friday. I have eosinophilic esophagitis. Treatable: watch my diet, medication, occasional esophageal dilation. It’s a life-long thing.

So, the reason the doctor wants Forrest there:
Because it’s serious? No.
Because I’m an incompetent woman and I need my husband there, so he can translate what eosinophilic esophagitis is and how we’re going to treat it? No.
To shoot the breeze; he’s a doctor and Forrest is going to medical school in the state he went to medical school? And he really likes New York? And he knows we’re going to love it? And you kind of get the feeling he wants to hide in our moving truck? Yes.

Just making sure you knew, because I was kinda freaked out when he wanted Forrest to be there. “Is it serious?”

Esophagus issues - check.

Now I just need to get my lower back completely fixed (one more round of physical therapy, here I come!), my jaw fixed (TMJ’s the pits), and Lasik.

Then I’ll start training for a triathlon. Mwahaha! It’s fun to use sarcasm when we’re chatting about health. After all, isn’t laughter the best medicine?

abacus for columbia

About a year ago, we made a ranked list of all the schools Forrest applied to (24 in all); then he told me that if he got into one of his top five schools, he would take me to Abacus (my very favorite restaurant!). So, like any normal foodie, I added a little more faith to my prayers - I wanted some delicious buffalo tenderloin.

Saturday, I cashed in:

(not sure what's going on with this picture, but isn't he so handsome?)

And then we kissed fancy dining goodbye...for a long, long time.

(Brittney & Chad, thanks for watching our babies!)

reviewing the first week on june

While I was spring cleaning our apartment, Eli was spring cleaning his cars with apple juice.

While I was doing laundry (done, folded and put away IN ONE DAY), Eli was potty-training his cars. He even gave them treats and helped them clean up an accident. “You such a big boy, Hi E Queen!” (I’ll give you a dollar if you can guess who Hi E Queen is.)

While I listened to all the details of Eli’s fun Sunday evening at Grandma’s house, Audrie ate an entire Starburst…including the wrapper.

While Audrie and I did yoga, Eli painted a picture for everyone in our family (construction paper + water + paint brush = my favorite kind of painting).

While Forrest and Audrie were home sick from church, Eli decided he needed five pieces of sacrament bread.

While Forrest was working way too many hours for Uncle B (we're over Bain right now), we:

• went to Fritz Family Petting Farm with friends.
• played at the pool with friends.
• hit DQ for more banana action.
• had an FHE lesson about missionary work. Eli declared, “I don’t want to go on a mission. I want to be a daddy!” You’re in luck, little guy. You can do both!
• watched SYTYCD.
• went on some walks (it might be the end of our walking season. It’s getting hot).
• went potty at the library, and that started potty-training attempt round two.
• played with our Step 2 Sand&Water table.
• meal planned, grocery shopped and checked email way more than once a day (what was I thinking? It’s impossible to check just once a day).

What's a weekly review without some pictures?

The only picture I got at the Fritz Family Petting Farm.

Yoga. Not a lot of room for Momma on the mat.

He's taking his cars to the temple.

It was a pretty good week.

essentials only week

I hereby declare the first week of June as Essentials Only Week for this momma.

What does Essentials Only Week include?

• Major spring cleaning and organizing? Yes! It's become crucial that I get it done before spring ends. Our little home is looking a bit messy.
• Story Time and Playgroups? Yes.
  
• TV? PBS for Eli – yes. Fox on Wednesday night at 7 for me – yes. Otherwise – no.
• Loads of playing with and loving the babies? YES!
• Delicious homemade meals? Homemade –yes. Delicious - hopefully.
• Unnecessary errands? No.
• Exercise? I must! Lest I rip someone’s head off.
• Reading? Of course!
• Getting sufficient sleep? Yes. Please.
• All things to do with praying, scripture studying, FHEing, temple going? Yes.
• Quality time with the husband (including a romantic date on Saturday!)? Yes.
  
• Doctor appointments? Unfortunately, yes. (Don't worry, nothing serious.)
  
• Obsessive thoughts and daydreams about a certain island city on the east coast? No.
• Email? Once a day. Call me if it’s urgent, I’ll try to keep my phone charged and on.
• Mindless computer time? No.
• News reading? Maybe.
• Blogging? No. So sad, but it's only a week.
  

See you on June 8th! Have a fantasticly simple week!

kissed by a zebra and licked by a giraffe

Buckle up for an animal adventure!

The first animal we saw, Mr. Crazy Ostrich, popped his head right in our car and went straight for the food bag (which was right next to Forrest's leg!). He knew just how to welcome us and make us feel a bit tense.

The emu wasn't quite as aggressive, but still pretty crazy.

Eli loved all the baby animals (or any smaller animal that he thought was a baby) because "oh, dey are so cute!"

The Follow Deer know how to follow and follow and follow.

This Greater Kudu came in for a smooch...

but we missed.

Then we stopped for some lunch...

some bug stomping...

some tree time...

and some goat time.

Then it was back to the car for some BIG action.

The animals showed their love to Forrest by licking, headbutting, spitting, drooling, and snotting on him.

Do you realize how amazing zebras are up close?
Here, I'll show you:

They're also a bit impatient when you don't give them food right NOW!
I was a cool cucumber.
HA!
Forrest couldn't decide which was more entertaining; the animals or my reaction to the animals.
Eli: "Da zebwas scawe you, Mommy? Don't be scawed. It's okay."
Hey, I was practicing my nervous-giggly-squealing skills.

What about giraffes? Just as amazing...

and a little more gentle.

When you go, you should follow the rules...

and grab a delicious Banana Cream Pie Blizzard on your way home...

and show us your videos.

Fossil Rim.
Totally worth the admission price and 3 1/2 hour round-trip.

P.S. Eli and Audrie earned a great big gold star for being so good.

P.P.S. Thanks for the great idea, Bainee friends!

i'm going to be honest with you (not a friday favorite)

Muffin top. Super wedgie. London britches falling down. I am SICK of low-rise pants!

I don’t like stepping on cereal.

I am bad at checking private blogs. (GReader, can’t you do something about this? Hello! You’re Google.)

I don’t know what gopty means; Eli doesn’t know what boring means; and I have no idea why he is calling everything gopty and boring: “Dat’s a gopty ball.” “You a gopty mommy.” “I want to pway wif dat boring car.” “Wet’s read dis boring book.” “BOOOOOORING!” (yelling this while waiting for beloved Dr. Mac in the bubblegum exam room).

I think it’s funny that Audrie’s favorite toy is Lightning McQueen. Eli doesn’t think it’s funny at all.

Eli was almost completely potty-trained this week. He is now wearing a diaper. I don’t want to talk about it.

Audrie is such an easy-going child. Eli is…. I need to read more parenting books. Or I should stop reading parenting books. Hmm...

I don’t know who is in charge of folding and putting away our laundry, but she is really slacking.

I’m officially back to being excited about our move! Really. BRING IT ON!

Getting an EGD is not comfortable.

Doing the we-have-good-health-insurance-for-two-more-months-so-let's-get-everything-done-that-we've-been-neglecting jig is tricky.

This has been a weird week.

what to do? what to do?

Forrest is at work.
Babies are in bed.
Can't go anywhere.
Don't want to read.
Don't like TV.
Don't want to do anything productive.
Seen everything I want to see on hulu.
Eaten everything I want to eat.
Bored.

Oh! That was fun!

i think she liked her first birthday

A trip to the FW Zoo with friends.
(Eli completely FREAKED out because it was crowded. He doesn’t do well in crowds. Katy talked me through it. Dr. Karp calls him cautions. Now you know one factor of my moving-to-a-big-crowded-city freak-out.)

Presents.
(Eli thought they were for him – “I wiww opon it.” “I wike nem.” “Dese are for me, Audwie. You go pway wif cars.”)

Cupcakes.
(She's not allergic to cow's milk or eggs! Hallelujah!)

Sushi.
(Not so much for her, but it gave us an excuses to go out.)


Note to self: no more May babies.

it will be okay

“Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us.”

“Whatever hour God has blessed you with, take it with grateful hand, nor postpone your joys from year to year, so that in whatever place you have been, you may say that you have lived happily.”

-Finding Joy in the Journey talk by President Monson

(Thanks for the comforting comments. Really. You're the best!)

first official nyc freak out

Just kidding. I don’t want to move to New York. I'm happy right here. I like my pool. I like my washer and dryer. I like my dishwasher. I like my bright, clean apartment. I like Texas in May. I like my Super Target. I like my car. I love living close to my perfect mother-in-law. I can’t do this with a double stroller. I like my husband’s pay checks and I like financial security. I like being pampered by Uncle B. I like free trips to Cancun. I like southern hospitality. I like the suburbs. I love my friends here. I love my ward. I love my pediatrician, midwife, and library. I don’t like that I’m up this late with these doubts squashing my faith.

Tell me it’s going to be okay. Please?

sprinkles, watch yourself. you have a competitor.

(Annilee, I might kiss you next time I see you. A.MAZE.ING!)

I decide to do something a little more appetizing for Audrie’s birthday. Don’t get me wrong, I loved that Candy Land madness, but it kinda made me dizzy after looking at it for a few days.

I reeeeally need a fancy camera for food pictures. oh, and kid pictures too.

These are the YUMMIEST CUPCAKES that I have put in my mouth! Don’t they just scream “I am THE birthday cake for the cutest one-year-old in the world!”? If you make one cupcake in your entire life, these are the cupcakes to make!

I just licked my screen.

The recipe for Chocolate Cupcakes with White Chocolate Raspberry Cream Cheese Frosting (even the name makes me want to die of deliciousness). mybakingaddiction.blogspot.com might be my new favorite place stuck in that world wide web.

Is it allowed to eat a cupcake before 9am? Too late. I just did.

she's one!

Meeting her biggest fan.

Such a good scowl for so tiny a girl.

6 weeks

4 months

6 months

8 months and enjoying every second with her big brother. Picture courtesy of Kaci.

10 months. Picture courtesy of That Wife.

One year old!

Happy Birthday A. Soleil!!!
We love you so much!
Please continue to be the perfect baby girl (minus the ear-piercing scream).

i'm waxing nostalgic

I know. I’ve said it 100 times. But I'm sayin' it again. The day Audrie was born was the best day of my life! One year ago I was in labor and about to do the most amazing thing I’ve ever done (after 14 hours of "relaxation" with Hypnobirthing). I love natural childbirth! I love how it changed me. I love that I was very blessed and got the kind of birth I wanted. And, of course, I LOVE the result:

She's perfect.


While we're talking birth, you should definitely read this article from the LA Times (thanks, Sarah). Things need to change in this country!

updating the scrapbook

Dallas Arboretum with Molly and Will:

We love wicked Texas T-storm:

Chasing Knuffle Bunny:

Audrie "helping":

And a dance party video:

another round of friday favorites

Favorite day this week:
tie.

Mother's Day
and

Birthday. (Last picture of this ridiculous cake I will post. Promise.)

Favorite talk of the week: this one by Elder Pearson.
Quote:
"There is no other thing in which we can have absolute assurance. There is no other foundation in life that can bring the same peace, joy, and hope. In uncertain and difficult times, faith is truly a spiritual gift worthy of our utmost efforts. We can give our children education, lessons, athletics, the arts, and material possessions, but if we do not give them faith in Christ, we have given little."

I also liked how he talked about Six Destructive Bs. Good reminder.


Favorite recipe of the week:

Delicious. George Foreman, thank you for inventing an indoor grill. Recipe. We used zucchini, tomatoes, green peppers, and fresh pineapple with the chicken.


Favorite thing all one-year-olds do:

Holding everything in their little hands, and then trying to crawl. (Please pardon the placement of her finger.)


Favorite thing this little (almost) one-year-old does:

Big, goofy smile+breathing in and out really fast through her noes+laughing all at once=so cute.


Favorite quotes from him:

"Bewax (relax), Mommy." "I want to pway a boring (board) game." Telling me "dose are your choices."


Favorite small things:

Suddenly I like earrings. I blame Bethany.


Favorite BIG thing:

Our new car.
I never knew I could love a double stroller so much.