9 months...already?

Why do the nine months after a having a baby go by so much faster than the nine months before?

At nine months, Justin:

-wears 9 and 12 mos. clothes
-loves to clap his hands
-is in the process of getting his second tooth (bottom left)
-won't stay put for a single minute
-loves to "groove" to the beat of music
-feeds himself cheerios and puffs
-loves to tear up magazines, pull on cords, and empty his toy basket
-is fascinated by phones, remotes, the handle on the recliner, and the buttons on the our DVD player
-can't wear shoes because his feet are too...tall.
-gets comments on his eyes, and his lack of red hair wherever we go!

I absolutely love this picture that Mindy took.  For the longest time, Justin has done a "three-legged army crawl" while dragging his right leg along. He has justed started using all four this week.

Valere Hope Project

On May 6th, one of my best childhood friends had a little niece born stillborn at 39 weeks.

I am heartbroken for their family and wanted to do something to let them know I care, so I started the "Valere Hope Project".

If you would like to participate, please think of little Valere Hope (pronounced Valerie) as you go throughout your week. Look for ways to memorialize her sweet name, and then take a picture of it.

We (my friend Wendy and I) want to give her parents a book full of pictures of their daughter's name spelled out in creative ways.  You could build it out of legos, write it on the sidewalk with chalk, or even pick the letters out of your alphabet spaghettios.  The possibilities are endless, and it will only take a few minutes to let them know you care.

Please send pictures to valerehope@hotmail.com

Here are a few that I've already received:

Happy Mother's Day!

The other day I was driving to the clinic, which is a couple towns away, when I passed by a field full of ewes and baby lambs.

I've seen it every Spring in our little valley, but on this particular day, I couldn't help but notice that a few of the ewes did not have a lamb next to them.  Maybe they were just separated for a few minutes--I don't really know, but it made me think of all the wonderful mothers out there who have empty arms.

And for a brief moment I was reminded how truly blessed I am to be a mother.

Todd went all out today and made Bacon-wrapped Teriyaki Chicken Skewers for lunch and they were absolutely wonderful!  He used fresh pineapple (the only kind I like) and I would highly recommend it, rather than the canned pineapple called for.



I had to sneak a picture of the kitchen when lunch was ready...

My kitchen was completely clean when my visiting teaching partner showed up less than 24 hours ago...

My favorite is the laundry detergent in the middle of the counter.  Am I the only one who can't start preparing a meal if the kitchen is a mess?

I think I'll go help Todd clean up...I hate just sitting here while he's doing the work!

My talented friend Mindy

Last week, I had the rare opportunity to meet up with one of my best friends, Mindy.  She and I go way back--back to when I was first married and living in the ward where I grew up.  To everyone else I was Floyd's daughter, but to Mindy I was just me.  She moved into the ward while I was away at college, and didn't know me during my awkward teenage years.  I am eternally grateful that our paths crossed because she has had a major influence on who I am.  She is one of those people who makes you better just for knowing her.

She is extremely talented in everything she does, from music to church callings to exercise classes to photography, and she blesses people daily with her talents.  She did a photo shoot with Justin while we were together and she did an amazing job of capturing his personality.  These are the first (and probably only) professional pics I have of him as a baby and I am so grateful!  I love you Mindy! Go check out her blog to see more!

Faith

Picture found here

Stepping-Stones

By DeLynn Decker

There I was,

Hopscotching on the rocks

In the turbulent stream

Until suddenly

There weren’t any more,

And I stood forlorn,

Feeling stranded.

In stillness He assured,

Be patient.

When it is time

For the next step,

There will be a stone.

Hasn’t it always

Been so?

Easter 2011

We had a simple, but wonderful Easter this year.  Our bishopric's wives spoke in sacrament meeting and did a wonderful job.  I left church feeling even more hope and peace in our current situation.

The easter bunny came after church and left our kids more than they usually get in their baskets, but he couldn't pass up those $6 Harry Potter movies at Target.

I made Justin (basket on the right) a "Peep Plushie" using this pattern. As a fellow crafter, I felt an ethical obligation to make it, since someone went to all the trouble to figure it out and post it online for free.

We divided into teams (boys against girl) and tried to make as many words as we could using the letters from EASTER SUNDAY.  The girl (me) won by a landslide :o)

Nate and Erin came to dinner, and we ate a spiral-cut ham, twice baked potatoes, steamed carrots, deviled eggs, Jell-O eggs, rolls, and carrot cake.

Sometimes a thousand words are worth more than the picture...

Todd does not like to be the center of attention.  Especially if it involves taking pictures. In public.

While in St. George for Spring Break, we stopped to visit our friend Bruce, who used to work at the ranch with Todd.  Bruce was at a scout meeting when we got to his apartment, so we had ten minutes or so to play on the lawn in his yard while we waited.

Since my boys were all wearing their superman shirts on the same day (including Todd), I decided it was a perfect time to take pictures.  Due to a group of people outside the complex across the street, Todd didn't want any part of it.  

I begged and pleaded with him, and explained that those people would think it was sweet that he was playing with his kids.

After an insane amount of coaxing, he finally laid down in the grass.  And wouldn't you know it, just as I was about to take the picture, a school bus full of high school students turned the corner and drove past our little photo shoot...laughing all the way.

Now I'm afraid Todd will never participate in one of my lifelong dreams--to be driving down the freeway and have each family member stick their arms out of the van windows and flap like a bird.


I live for little moments like that.

*Justin is wearing the sunglasses that Dillon bought for his Build-a-Bear.  They're a perfect fit!