Lisa's Pieces

Dear Eliza

2012-01-13T14:46:00.001-07:00

*Poor little sicko...tortured by her parents ;)

It has been too long since I have written a post to you , my little angel. You are 16 1/2 months...how did that happen so fast!?! That means we are 6 weeks from nursery! I know that probably doesn't mean much to you now, but when you are a mama you will realize what a glorious day that is. Finally, both of us can enjoy, rather than endure, church!

Eliza, you have taught me so much in this time we have had together. You taught me that I am capable of loving in a way that literally makes my heart ache, that just when I think I am at the end of my rope I have so much more to give, that a life of service is infinitely more meaningful than a life simply spent in pursuit of my own ambitions, and most importantly you have taught me how to be a mama. You have taught me to trust my instincts and know that all the answers needed to love you in the way you need to be loved are already within me. I wrote this post while I was pregnant with you. I believe it even more passionately now than I did on the day I wrote it. I now realize it wasn't simply a dream. It was Heavenly Father teaching me to LISTEN. To listen at 3 am when all the books said to let you cry, to the voice that said "your baby needs you to hold her and love her right now...go to her," to the voice that says "I have a path for her, don't worry about those things you can't control...I will guide her," to the voice that says "It is enough" or "You have more to give...press forward." I couldn't do it without that voice. I am reassured that Heavenly Father loves you so much, and that He will intervene when I am a little slow to heed ;)

President Monson once said,

I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish—and in effect save their lives.

The opportunity to serve as a mother is incredible (even that word doesn't do it justice). Eliza, I feel like you breathe new life in me each and every day. It is truly an honor to serve and love you. You truly have "saved my life" in so many ways. You have added depth and meaning to mine, and your da-da's life, that was not there before. I love you, my angel!

Bring Pretty Back

2012-01-10T22:44:00.002-07:00

*My pretty little angle...pure as the driven snow

I love when I find articles, such as this one, floating around Facebook that make me shout, YES, YES, YES! To the author's definition of pretty, as a combination of beauty and innocence, I would add that pretty is knowing who one is, and embracing the spirit and light of womanhood.

I would whole-heartedly describe myself as a feminist. I love all that is feminine: strength, beauty, kindness, nurturing, intuitive, wise, etc., etc., etc. However, I find very little with certain veins of feminism, those that lead me to believe that becoming masculine (in terms of behavioral traits and "sexual liberation") is what feminism is about, that I agree with. In particular, the fallout of the sexual revolution has debased and objectified women in way in which I imagine no other has. I have worked with so many women who are at war with their bodies, sheesh I have been at war with my body in the past. When in this state we have lost touch with our spiritual nature, and the power that is our divine nature, and are on a futile quest to a destination that can never be reached. So to this I say, let's all jump off this path and bring back pretty!

Young women today do not seem to aspire to pretty, they prefer to be regarded as hot. Hotness is something altogether different. When women want to be hot instead of pretty, they must view themselves in a certain way and consequently men view them differently as well.

As I said, pretty inspires men’s nobler instincts to protect and defend. Pretty is cherished. Hotness, on the other hand, is a commodity. Its value is temporary and must be used. It is a consumable...a consumable that consumes as it is consumed but brings no warmth.

Let Us Anew

2012-01-04T21:18:00.001-07:00

*Is anything better than the wonder of a child?

The beginning of the new year always feels like a magical time to me...the anticipation, the optimism, the willingness to let go, and the openness to new opportunities. As a result I am typically obsessed with creating New Year's goals! However, I am trying a new approach this year. I have opted out of making resolutions, save for one underlying life principle to guide my year..."Each day is an opportunity for a New Day resolution." Too often I am simply caught up in the excitement of a hope for something better, whether that be intellect, spirituality, body, heart, etc., that I miss out on what it will take day in and day out to arrive at my destination. I somehow miss out on the journey...so cliche! (but true ;)) So yes, during this year I want to be better emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually but I am not quite sure how I am going to get there. I simply know that I want each day consecrated to my ultimate goal of arriving at a place of greater understanding, joy, compassion, and peace. Easy enough, right?

Time and a Season

2011-11-18T21:14:00.001-07:00

*Performing with the Utah Symphony, 2000

Lately I have been missing the stage. Last week I had the opportunity to sing the National Anthem at a political fundraiser with over 1,000 people...so fun! And yes, I was bitten by the performance bug again. However, as I returned home that night and nuzzled my sweet little babe I was reminded that there is indeed a "time and season" for every phase of our life. And, as an Arizonan (where there is hot and less hot) those seasons are so beautiful to me.

I have found tremendous joy as I have come to embrace the natural ebb and flow of my life. If you had asked me at 21 where I would be 10 years later, I would have died at the thought that it would not include performing. Dramatic? Yes...was I ever! ;) There is a reason my life felt dramatic at that time. It was because singing was not simply something "I did," it was "who I was." Because of that, when I left grad school at 24 I floundered, and we are talking trip off the curb and fall on your face type of floundering! Yet, I know I needed that. I needed to be in a place where I was willing to listen to the Truths that had been there my whole life. I was simply too terrified to embrace them, because it meant letting go of control! The Lord knew I had a distinct mission to fulfill, and that I would never be able to fulfill it until I discovered who I was (and am). This journey of discovering who I am as a spiritual being, a daughter of God, (nothing more, nothing less) was literally life changing. I am not a singer, a therapist, a wife, a daughter, or even a mother. Those are things I do or roles I play, not who I am. The beauty of knowing this Truth does not make me any less successful in those roles. In fact, I believe it makes me more successful in them. My happiness is not tied to whether or not I am engaged in those activities. My happiness is in knowing who I am, and that realization has opened the Heavens.

So, back to that "bite" the other night. If an opportunity arises in which I am able to pursue my love of music, then wonderful. However, in the meantime I am beyond grateful for my present role as a wife and mother...it is an incredibly beautiful season.

New Direction

2011-11-18T20:37:00.003-07:00

I am not a fan of writing a post stating ones intent to return to blogging, because let's face it I do it way too often to NO avail! :) If I am going to write I should just write, right? However, I have been struggling with what I want to do with this blog. I have lost my groove since becoming a mama (not in being a mama, but in writing about it). I am not sure what my niche is in this little world...my photography skills are too terrible to be a photo blog, I am not a particularly funny writer, yet I have a tremendous passion regarding the pursuit of happiness and the pathway to change and ultimate peace. I talk about it all the time with people, yet I haven't really written about it since I had this blog as a single lady. Hopefully, in bringing some of that back to this blog I will feel inspired to write. If not, apologies in advance for this post ;)

All Grown Up

2011-07-21T15:52:00.009-06:00

I am so grateful for the fabulous Amy! Love these new pics she snapped of little miss while we were all lounging on our deck in San Diego watching the sun set over the ocean. Watching my temperature gauge reach 113 today, I really missed that view!!! Good thing I have the view below every day of my life. How I love and adore my little angel :)

Missing...

2011-07-11T15:55:00.002-06:00

I miss blogging. I miss being able to look back at past entries and being able to remember all the wonderful memories of my little family and my life. I miss capturing how fast little miss is growing up. I feel like time is slipping through my fingers each and every day when I wake Eliza and she seems bigger than when I kissed her goodnight. Because of that I want to be better. I want to document our life and my thoughts if for no one else but myself and my family.
Life has been an adjustment...to say the least! I am learning each and every day how to navigate the balance between being a mother, wife, friend, sister, daughter, employee, etc. It's a tricky little balance, but I cherish every role so it is a necessary balance. I have been blessed to now have position where I am only working one day a week, and no longer from home (trust me, not all it is cracked up to be). I have returned to what I love most, counseling with those seeking greater joy and peace in their life. For now, I have a happy balance. And one that, fortunately, should now allow me a little spare time to blog now and again. I feel blessed and am happy to be back. And let's be honest, that pic of my neighbor holding up curtains is that lamest post to end on!

Vote!

2011-01-25T20:58:00.010-07:00

I need your help...stat! (I kind of feel like "Seriously So Blessed" right now) Please vote in the comment section what color black out curtain you think will be the cutest in little Eliza's room. The colors are way off in these pics (everything is much more vibrant in real life), but you get the general idea. Here is a better depiction of the raspberry color (it looks weird in these pics...and the green is brighter and actually does match the stem green on the quilt)

Thanks to my sweet neighbor for indulging me in holding these up :)
*And just because she is so cute...

Aftermath of first solids...rice cereal

Rockin' the 80s in her leg warmers and headband

Domestic Bliss

2011-01-17T16:10:00.003-07:00

(Photo via Google Images)

I admit, yesterday and this morning have been a total bust! I have been completely engrossed in reading the comments in response to THIS article by a self-proclaimed "feminist atheist" who is obsessed with reading Mormon mommy blogs. I will shamelessly admit that I follow about half of the blogs she referenced in her article. I wasn't so surprised that she enjoys these blogs, nor was I shocked by the crass anti-Mormon comments (completely expected), rather I was surprised at how cynical people are about those who seem to be genuinely happy.

Have we really entered an era of cynicism where a woman who is genuinely happy with her life must be hiding some terrible skeleton in her closet? I thought the era of feminism paved the way for a woman to pursue her passion and talents in whatever manner she desires...whether that be as the CEO of a major company or in creating a beautiful home where her family will love to gather. Perhaps these women are so happy because they spend much of their time focusing on the beauty in their life, and have faith they are following inspiration for their unique (married, single, mother, career woman) path in life, rather than lamenting everything that is not picture perfect. Let's be honest, life is never picture perfect (and downright difficult at times)...we have all had experiences in our life to prove that! However, I have come to learn that if I step back and shift my focus to what is right in my life (while getting outside of myself to focus on the needs of those I love), rather than wrong, I am terribly happy as well...especially in the downright difficult times!

How about you? What makes you happy? Do you feel like most of the happy people you meet are genuinely happy or simply putting on a show? How do you avoid falling into the trap of "waiting for the next phase in life to be happy"?

*As a side note, my favorite comment was the one pasted below. I would like to see Todd try this tactic with me ;) Hahahaha!

Ah, the life of faith and direction, so appealing, until you find out you can't conform because you're gay, a math-oriented woman, a man who likes modern dance, or maybe you just don't want to paint the living room the color your husband says you must and you hate the color. But he's the head of the household and even though he's supposed to respect you, his say is final because you have no independent income. There will be no money for paint unless it's the color he wants. There's no money for your clothes either, unless he approves or for anything else for that matter.

Think this doesn't happen? Think again. At home with a few young children, no marketable skills, "supportive" family who reminds you of your "duty as a Christian wife" . . . sounds like a recipe for depression to me.

The Best 2 Years

2011-01-03T09:55:00.004-07:00

I sure do love this man! What a fabulous ride these past 2 years have been. I have said it before and I will say it again...I can't imagine anyone else with whom I would rather share all the joy, struggles, laughter, and fantastic craziness that life brings! Seeing you as a father these past few months has deepened my love for you in ways I never imagined. I love you so much darling!

Happy Anniversary...here's to many, many more!

Dear Eliza

2011-01-02T13:34:00.005-07:00

I admit, my blog has become a total bust. To be perfectly honest, between returning to work part-time and full-time mommyhood the last thing I want to do when I have free time is spend more time on the internet. I much prefer making silly faces with my daughter :) However, I am horrible at documenting things on paper so this one's for you Eliza!

(4 month photo via Amy Brown Studios)

Dear Eliza,

What a year 2010 has been! I spent the first 8 months utterly amazed at your growth inside of me, and the following 4 months savoring every precious moment with you. Every mother has always told me that you can never understand the love a mother has for her child until you experience it yourself...oh, how that statement is so true! I find myself lingering every night before I lay you in your crib breathing in your scent, kissing your sweet forehead, feeling your itty bitty body snuggled next to mine, and thanking Heavenly Father for such an amazing gift. I love every second with you, so I thought I would document some of my very favorite.

*I love how you calm down immediately the moment you get a grasp of hair in your hand. Typically it is mine, but occasionally it is yours. During the first couple months of your life you didn't quite understand that the hair on your head was attached to you so every time you needed comfort you would pull on it, then scream because your head hurt from pulled hair, then pull harder for comfort and thus recreate the vicious cycle til I intervened. Fortunately now, you don't seem to be so confused ;)

*I love how the first thing I wake to every morning is your beautiful smile. Your daddy and I have gotten into the bad habit of leaving you in bed with us after your 4-5 am feed. You crane your little neck til you can see both our faces, start cooing til we wake up, then melt our hearts as you open your mouth wide to offer the biggest smile we can imagine. I can't help but smile just thinking about it.

*The word nearly everyone uses to describe you is "dainty." You are petite, albeit tall (still wearing your 3 month clothes and size one diapers), but you have a strong little personality to go with that dainty little body. I am hoping you are exercising those lungs to explore your musical talent one day, but you will probably choose a path all your own. We would be pretty thrilled with that as well ;)

*You are such a happy little baby. These past two weeks with no routine, and lots of travel, have been rough on you, but when we have our groove you hardly ever cry. You do not like to be held, unless it is when you are settling down to sleep. You are completely fascinated with the world around you, and being held prevents you from seeing all that interesting stuff. During the day, you are most content simply to lay next to me kicking your little legs and staring at your rattle.

*Currently you seem to be a mama's girl, but you sure do love your daddy too! Whenever we are with people you turn your head as far as it will go to find us. It melts our heart to know that you now know who we are, and that we love you more than anyone on this earth!

Eliza, you are a dream come true and I can't wait for all that 2011 holds...laughing, crawling, walking, talking and so much more. Happy New Year, baby!

Mama's Girl???

2010-11-01T15:41:00.008-06:00

Since Eliza's birth we have been trying to figure out who she looks like. Obviously she has my nose, but what about the rest of her? Well, I came across these pics of me as a baby this morning and I swear they could be pictures of Eliza...Todd could have sworn they were! What do you think? Is she a spitting image of her mama?

*She always makes the face I am making above, I just can't find a picture of it.

6 Week Growth Spurt

2010-10-11T16:14:00.007-06:00

It is amazing to see how much Eliza has grown over the past 6 weeks. Just check out the size difference when compared to her little lovie September 14th (2 weeks) and now! Where did my newborn go?

As a side note...If I could recommend any toy for new mothers it would be this gem! The pic above is her staring mesmerized at the mobile a good 15 minutes into the experience, which for our easily bored kiddo is saying a lot! It is the Cadillac of all mobiles...love it! Even if it doesn't go with my pottery barn decor ;)

*Seriously, could this face lie???

These Are the Days

2010-10-10T16:40:00.004-06:00

I was talking with a friend the other day about how the 6 week marker feels like the official "let's get back to life" marker. Think about it, everything happens at 6 weeks: follow up appointment, a little lovin' approval, many paid maternity leaves end, etc. The problem is, I am just not sure I am completely ready to get back to real life just quite yet. I have absolutely adored my lazy days with Eliza.

~Days which gave me adequate time to memorize every crease in her hand and every pimple on her poor broken out face.
~Days where I memorized the sound of her cry (and even learned to distinguish many of them), the smell of her skin, and the touch of her chubby little thighs.
~Days in which I found myself crying right alongside my little girl out of utter exhaustion and plain old frustration that she couldn't tell me what was wrong.
~Days where I learned first hand that a mother really is a scientist, doctor and detective all at once whilst learning to comfort a baby who won't stop crying! *Thank you google! Diagnosis: Acid Reflux followed by Thrush, all confirmed by my doc...poor baby girl :(
~Days in which I found myself appreciating my own mother more than I imagined.
~Days in which I learned just how strong I am, and at the same time how painfully inadequate I am...or at least feel!
~Days which have taught me more about selfless love and service than any other experience in my life.
~Days where I developed a deep love for the human body and all it is capable of.
~Days where I learned just how much I depend on my husband and how much I adore him...especially when he eagerly jumps up at 3 am to hold our little girl for two hours while she screams in pain and frustration. (Fortunately last night we returned to two 5 hour stretches, with only a 20 minute feed period in between)
~Days where I learned how much I depend on the accolades and praise that comes with work and achievement, and where I have learned to rely upon the Lord and the belief that all of this is worth it, even if I will never know for sure if the little munchkin really knows how much her mama adores her!

These truly are the days to remember...

*Speaking of things to remember, I came across this video in blogosphere (I love her blog) and of course it made me cry. Lots of things make me cry these days...don't judge! ;) What words of wisdom would you share with your pre-mommy self?

*I promise to bust out the camera and take some photos of Eliza today. I sure wish I had an iota of talent in that arena!

Blessing Day

2010-10-02T08:57:00.008-06:00

Last week our little family headed up to Utah to bless Eliza. It was heaven up there I tell ya! It has been ridiculously hot here...we are talking temps approaching 110, so as you can imagine we reveled in the glorious weather and beautiful fall leaves. Why do we live in AZ again? Hmmm, perhaps I will have an answer in another month ;)

*My parents backyard...isn't it glorious? I had almost forgotten what real trees looked like!

Anyway, back to the blessing...it was a perfect day. We had lots of family make the trek to come celebrate with us and meet our little girl. Can I tell you how much I loved the adult interaction? I think I am starting to forget how to have conversations that don't revolve around poop, sleeping schedules and all the adorable things Eliza does. Sheesh, even my blog is entirely baby-centric!
Todd did an amazing job, and offered a spiritual blessing that touched everyone's hearts. I covertly recorded the whole thing with my blackberry, and plan to transcribe it for her to have. Hopefully I can find a way to distinguish what he is saying...it is pretty darn quiet. I think I would fail as a spy!

*Where is Amy when I need her?

It truly was one of our absolute favorite days thus far as a little family. I will never forget how angelic she was through the whole blessing, or how Todd held her so close to his chest and made the other men come to her so she wouldn't fuss, or how she truly looked like an angel in her beautiful dress accompanied by her bow glued to her head with Elmer's Glue (I am not a bad mom, I googled it and everyone said it worked the best and came right out with water...they were right), or how people could not stop talking about Eliza throughout the whole testimony meeting...especially her hair!, or how the spirit touched my heart as I was reminded what a precious gift she is to our family and how excited I felt to watch Eliza grow and experience all those things promised to her in that blessing. Baby girl I love you so much!

*Our Little Angel ;)

Life As I Know It

2010-09-05T16:17:00.005-06:00

Is there such a thing as postpartum euphoria? If so, I am pretty sure I have it. Man, I sure love the two babes in my life! My cup runneth over...

One Week

2010-09-03T16:27:00.009-06:00

Dear Eliza,

You are an absolute joy to have in our family. Your daddy and I simply cannot get enough of you...we are enamored! This past week has taught us so much about unconditional love and gratitude. We are not only grateful for you, but how amazing you are. Seriously, you may just be the best baby in the world! What baby only cries when she is hungry or poopy? I love you to pieces little girl and treasure every moment we get to spend with each other! Thank you for bringing so much joy to my life!

*Thank you Amy for the photo shoot! She will be here all weekend, so for those who are interested please follow her blog for more updates!

Grandma Bonnie

2010-09-03T14:46:00.002-06:00

My mom left last night and boy do I miss her help already! Apparently the house hasn't magically been cleaning itself and Eliza hasn't magically been getting ready and changed on her own every time I seem to be a bit frazzled. Shoot, she even offered to stay up at night whenever Eliza cries so we can get some sleep. Luckily for all of us, she only cries when she is poopy or hungry so we didn't need that offer!!! Yes, we are quite aware as to how lucky we are. The professional cleaning crew my mom hired as a gift is here as I write this and I truly am overwhelmed with gratitude. Thank you so much for all of your help and for loving little Eliza with all of your heart. I know she loves her Grandma Bonnie to pieces!!! Can't wait to see you again soon!

August 27, 2010

2010-08-28T13:57:00.013-06:00

Elizabeth "aka Eliza" Kathleen

I suppose all it took was a little resignation to bring this baby into the world. On Thursday afternoon I decided to stop doing all the little tricks (e.g. acupressure, birthing ball, etc.) and just let this little girl come when she was ready. In fact, Todd and I made plans to celebrate our last couples only weekend doing some of our favorite things. Little did I know Eliza had other plans in store for her mommy and daddy!
Around 7:00 pm, after an exhausting day of nesting house projects, Todd and I decided to make some curry for dinner, so Todd rushed to the store to grab a few items we needed (of course, he forgot his cell phone ;)) Around 7:30 pm (just minutes after Todd walked out the door I felt a gush of fluid running down my leg...YUCK!!! "Did I just pee my pants?" A quick trip to the bathroom verified that was not the case. Apparently it was "go time"! Amazingly, I felt rather calm walking around the house, and calm about the fact that I could not get Todd on the phone. I looked a little ridiculous walking around with a towel between my legs, did I mention it was disgusting? However, I managed to get the rest of our hospital items packed, contacted the hospital (who informed me I needed to come in immediately) and wait patiently (ok, maybe not quite patiently) til Todd got home. He still laughs when he thinks of the image of me standing in the door to our house from the garage with a towel between my legs :)

*Arriving at the hospital

We were both starving so we stopped at Paradise Bakery on the way there (of course I stayed in the car), and I finally began noticing contractions. So that is what those buggers feels like? At 2 am I would soon realize I had no idea what contractions felt like whilst sitting in the PB parking lot! After getting checked by the nurses who verified it was indeed my water that had broken, hello I know my body! we were checked into our L&D room. Everyone had braced Todd for the exorcist, but we were mostly talking and laughing nervously at this point. Sadly, no exorcist experience ;) Around midnight the contractions changed dramatically. Everyone was right, there is no mistaking those suckers...holy smokes! Kuddos to you ladies who go au natural! Panting and using a focal point did jack squat for this lady. The nurse kept asking me if I was ready for an epidural and determined I kept letting her know I wanted to wait a little while. Todd sweetly let me know he supported whatever I wanted to do, but I am guessing he was pretty eager for me to get it, which finally meant some sleep. Around 2 the nurse managed to time the epidural question right as I was having one, so of course I said "Yes, tell the anestesiologist to come!" At this point he could not come quick enough :) The only way to describe the epidural is pure bliss/ecstacy/you name it...heaven on earth! Todd and I just sat watching the screen monitor my contractions in amazement that I could not feel a darn thing. From then until 5, Todd slept and I failed miserably! First of all I was anxious, second of all I had a blood pressure cuff going off every 15 minutes, and finally I can't sleep with noise or lights. So, basically sleep was not an option :(
5:00 AM--the nurse came to check me again only to let me know I was still 4 cm. Rats! There were two things I did not want: 1) To be induced and 2) Pitocin during my labor. However, I was feeling incredibly exhausted by this point, so I let he know I would be willing to try a tiny amount to see if it did anything. She arrived back in my room with the Pitocin at 5:45 and decided to check me one more time before giving me the medicine. "Hmmm, I can't seem to feel anything here. Hmmm, it looks like you are ready to go. You are 10 Cm and completely effaced." Wa-freakin-who! "Todd, get up...we are having a baby!" Poor guy was probably a little frazzled, but jumped right into action. I did a few quick pushes and she let me know she could see my little girls hair. Hair?!? I was expecting a baldy ;)

*Dilated to a 10, incredibly exhausted and extremely grateful for epidurals!

Since we were so close to my doctor arriving for work (7 am) we decided to let Eliza labor down for an hour, so my pushing wouldn't take so long, and so he could deliver. But alas, that is not the end of the story! By 7:15 we had still heard nothing from the doctor. By 7:30 the nurse finally learned that he was out of town. How did that not come up at our appointment on Tuesday!!! She let me know the on call doctor had just left and the other doctor was dropping kid off at school and would be in "shortly." By 8:45 the doctor "shortly" arrived! I could have killed someone. Todd will attest, this is the only point in my whole delivery that I was livid and full of colorful emotion. I even asked the nurse during our 3 hour wait if she would please just deliver this baby and that I trusted her to do it...no luck. When the doctor arrived I am sure he could feel me shooting daggers at him. Where does his son go to school? Tucson? He let me know the nurse was busy and we would start pushing in a half hour! I almost lost it, and fortunately the dr picked up on it and the nurse was in within 5 minutes and we were rearin' to go.
Immediately I took myself to my zen state. I refused to be upset over what had just transpired during the past 3 hours...we were about to meet our little girl and I wanted to embrace the full spirit of the experience. It was time to focus. Todd, who can't hear the word "period" without wanting to dry heave was a champ! He was the best coach I could ask for, and was right in the thick of things without batting an eye. I am so grateful to have been able to share the experience with him. I love him to pieces! The epidural was perfect too...no pain, just the pressure of her coming down the birth canal to give me something to work with when they told me to push.
I was feeling so excited and energized by this point that Todd somehow talked me into letting him play "Flight of the Valkyries" for Eliza's grand entrance. It was quite the spectacle...Todd holding my thigh, neck and camera all at the same time! The video is quite dramatic I must say. however, due to the above mentioned spectacle Todd did not have the most accuracy and discretion in his filming, so those videos will not be for the general public ;) However, I am incredibly grateful we have them...what a miracle! I can watch her birth over and over and never cease to be amazed and reminded of the incredible spirit that filled the room with her arrival. It brings tears to my eyes just to think about it. By 9:29 AM Elizabeth Kathleen was born weighing 7 lbs 9 oz and measuring 20" long. Practically perfect in every way imaginable!

*Headed home...time to shower and sleep!!!

*First car ride home...yay for no more prodding by nurses in the middle of the night!

The rush of love I felt for her and continue to feel for her astounds me everyday. I am truly in awe of this whole experience, and can never thank the Lord enough for such a profound blessing in our life. I love you to pieces little girl!!!

39 Weeks

2010-08-24T13:39:00.002-06:00

I suppose patience really is a virtue. It doesn't look like this little girl is ready to make a debut anytime soon. Maybe she simply takes after her momma and takes a little longer to get ready than everyone else ;) She will definitely be worth the wait though!

Stats: 2 Cm/75% Effaced/-2 Station

Although the dilation is the same, he did say it has progressed some...just not a full Cm. It looks like more happy nesting time for me! But let's not make that too much more happy nesting time, Ok kiddo?

Just the Two of Us

2010-08-21T09:54:00.004-06:00

*Back when we were just a twinkle in each others' eye ;)

I am a funny mix of emotions these days. One minute I may tell you that I can't wait to meet our little darling and I want her here RIGHT NOW! Then, the next minute I will find myself completely nostalgic about all the wonderful memories Todd and I have had "just the two of us" during this first year and 9 months. At that point I let our little lady know she can take some more time while I snuggle up to her daddy. Really, what is the rush? ;)
I truly feel so blessed to have had such a smooth transition into marriage. We never really had a first tough year, and seem to have found our groove pretty easily. Of course, we both have days where we are stressed, tired or just plain irritable (I would be lying if I said we didn't) but mostly they are few and far in between. I believe one of the greatest gifts parents can give their children is the knowledge that they simply adore each other, and are in this ride together. So, with that being said I thought I would reminisce about some of my favorite memories/attributes of my man...

*He is my biggest cheerleader. Whether that be coaching me through my first horrible job experience, or telling everyone he meets my entire resume after singing in church (kind of embarrassing!) I know he is proud to be on my side no matter what, and that I will always have a partner in crime.
*Snuggling together every night. Even when our day is completely chaotic and busy, we always find time to spend a moment snuggling on the couch.
*He's my spiritual giant. Whether that be watching him teach the Gospel, speak in church, speaking privately about our personal insights, or our nightly prayer/scripture reading (thank goodness for Skype during business trips ;)) I know his heart is completely turned to the Lord.
*There hasn't been a day go by where I haven't heard the words "I love you" multiple times
*Speaking of days going by, there has not been a day go by where I have not found myself laughing at one crazy antic of ours or another. Humor really is the spice of life!
*I have loved all our wacky adventures from transporting a Mexican across the border, snorkling through shark caves in Maui, jumping off ledges into rushing whitewater, trips to Vegas, Portland, Maui, Boise, SLC, Boston, Austin, etc., buying our first home together, and our biggest adventure yet...having a child together!
*And finally, his love for children. Truly, I have yet to see a child not fall in love with this man. I think it is because he is part child at heart that he relates so well! I adore watching his excitement as he thinks about our little arrival and have no doubt he will be the most amazing dad. I suppose that is the great thing about love...true love is not limiting in its scope. I am so excited to see how our love for each other as well as our baby girl grows in this next big adventure. Alright, maybe I am ready for you to come, little girl!

38 Weeks

2010-08-17T18:26:00.003-06:00

So, I am pretty sure no one really cares about these updates, but for the few who do...

2 Cm/60% Effaced/-2 Station

The doc is planning to strip my membranes next week, so hopefully that will give her a little encouragement ;) Anyone have any ideas to help prepare my body? I have a birthing ball, but I am really not sure what to do with it, hahaha! Mostly I just bounce and stretch...was that too graphic? Nah, I don't think I have any male readers anyway.

37 Weeks

2010-08-09T14:45:00.003-06:00

So Todd may be a little closer with his guess...still no change this week.

1 cm/50% effaced

Granted the doc brought up the induction option for anytime after 38 weeks, so technically I could cheat ;) However, I am not really exploring that option right now. I want to start with the natural options first. This little lady is worth a little prolonged discomfort!

Nesting

2010-08-08T11:08:00.004-06:00

*Does anyone have any tips for covering those screw holes?

*1st step of the nursery completed! The quilt will eventually hang in that blank space behind the crib, I just need to purchase a rod. Now, if only we could do something about that carpet...

Who knew nesting didn't occur simply in your home...it is also a fabulous phenomenon with work. Talk about focus! Actually, I have been nesting much more at work than home as of late, but I am hoping to change that this week as I think I have almost completed all my casenotes/paperwork! Perhaps it is because there is a curse at my work where every one of my coworkers has gotten crazy busy before her leave, only to deliver 2-4 weeks early, that my boss is a tad worried! Sheesh, I am a tad worried...wait until at least August 19th baby girl :)
My current prediction is sometime the week of August 23rd (yes, I do realize I will likely be eating my words around September 7th when I am way past my due date!). This could be wishful thinking as I have no reference point for how my body progresses, but I am sticking with this date for now. Todd says September 2nd...I think that is wishful thinking on his part ;) Anyone else want to throw a date in the hat???
I am eager to hear the update at the doctor tomorrow morning as I have been having some contractions this weekend, lower back pain (not associated with the sciatica) and intense pressure on my lower abdomen...hoping that is her head moving down, but let's be honest I really have no idea what all these sensations mean ;) I had my first contractions while sleeping the other night and dreamt I delivered a white German Shepherd, hahaha! Let's hope that one doesn't come true! I will be back tomorrow with the latest stats...

36 Weeks

2010-08-03T19:10:00.002-06:00

Current Stats: Dilated 1 cm...my doc didn't mention effacement (and I forgot to ask), so I am guessing nothing???

These days I tend to vacillate back and forth between sheer joy at the thought of meeting our little girl face to face, tenderly touching her face, and singing lullabies til my hearts content and utter panic at the thought of labor and delivery! I understand that women have been doing this for centuries, but this girl has never done it! I can't read a L&D story these days without breaking into tears. Sometimes they are tears of panic hearing of things that went wrong, other times (and most often) it is profound love for this girl I have never met. I think I am making up for my emotionally stable first 8 months with all the tears I have shed during these past few weeks. Poor Todd must be so confused! He is a good sport though :) So, am I alone in all this craziness? Was anyone else terrified of the unknown as they entered their first delivery? Any advice/thoughts to help calm this lady?

July Showers Bring...August Babies!?!

2010-07-22T12:13:00.005-06:00

(A little collage Amy put together for me...I love that Chris and Todd arranged flowers and floating candles in the hot tub :) Amy took a bunch of great pics that night. I will be sure to email any cute ones I get of all y'all!)

This past week while I was in Utah Amy, Andrea and my mom threw me a fabulous shower. The food, decorations, and company were all amazing! It was so wonderful to be able to reconnect with family and friends whom I have not seen in a while. Even my mother in law made a road trip from Idaho with Todd's grandma (the one who looks like Liz Taylor, above) and aunt for the occasion! I truly am overwhelmed by the generosity everyone has shown me through this pregnancy, and how eager people are to help a lost new mother out on her journey. Thank you to everyone who came and made for such a wonderful evening!

Baby Bump

2010-07-16T21:06:00.009-06:00

*I love this photo because it perfectly captures the expression Todd has every time he tells our little girl how excited he is to meet her...he is going to be such a great dad!

We have had such a wonderful time with family this past week. My amazing SIL, Amy, took some maternity pics and we had a blast! I cannot get over the gorgeous scenery here in Utah. Man, I truly do miss trees and cool summer nights living in Phoenix. Amy, Andrea and my Mom also threw a fabulous shower (thanks to the family who drove into town to attend...and to those in town!) I promise to post pics of our fun night, but for now I will leave you with a sneak peak of our maternity shoot. Feel free to visit Amy's website to see all the wonderful photos!

Twins???

2010-07-03T23:13:00.005-06:00

Tonight as Todd and I were purchasing some meat and cheese from the deli counter I had an "interesting" conversation with the woman behind the counter:

Deli Woman: When are you due?

Me: Around the end of August

Deli Woman: Are you having twins?!?

Me: Nope, just one little girl in there...

Deli Woman: Wow, but you are so BIG!

Me: Smiling sheepishly, whilst using every ounce of self control not to burst out crying..

Inner Dialogue: Pretty sure you already conveyed your point with the twins comment, but thank you for elaborating just to be sure I understood what you meant! Now, how can I get behind that counter to slug you in the jaw? (just teasing...sort of)

*30 seconds after leaving the deli counter: Crazy pregnant woman sobbing in the middle of the grocery store! Damn you pregnancy hormones...and you too deli woman! Seriously, it took me the next hour to get my emotions under control. So much for feeling like the hot pregnant woman I did last week after getting picked up on by some college guys while at ASU. Don't worry, I made sure they saw my wedding ring ;)

Thank you baby girl for moving like crazy for the next hour to remind me that every ounce I have gained is beyond worth it, and I would do anything for you!

*Post script...two women in my ward came up to me today to tell me I look way to small to be delivering in 8 weeks. Bless those tender mercies, hahaha ;) Can't wait to meet our little girl!

To Bump or Not to Bump?

2010-06-15T21:08:00.007-06:00

I think I have narrowed my favorite cribs down to these two beauties. For now I am in love with white. Let's hope that sticks once the baby arrives. Sheesh, I really am completely annoying with all my baby posts! Sorry, but I am getting a tad anxious as this little girl will be here is just over two months!

The problem with this one is that the company that built it has had a ton of recalls, so perhaps it is not a wise choice! The first has no recalls, and I think I love that one a tad more anyway...I love the woodwork around the top and wider slats.

Also, I am curious if any of you decided to forgo bumpers in your crib? Did you worry about SIDS? Any good ideas for making a nursery cute if I do decide against them?

Trashy

2010-06-15T21:00:00.000-06:00

I admit, I was wrong in this post last year. The Bachelorette may be the greatest source of entertainment in Todd's and my life these days. Yes, I did say Todd...I sucked him in, despite his initial will to resist ;) At this point he doesn't even try to deny it! Truly, I think we laugh harder at this show than our other favorite, Modern Family. I realize it is not a comedy, but it sure is to us. I am not sure how fun we would be to watch it with though, because we root for the crazies and the villians. What is trash TV without these staples! In particular, we miss these "dashing" gentlemen:

*Yes, he is the devil reincarnated, but man is he a great villian!

*Oh poor Jonathan...pretty sure you are having a rough struggle with your sexuality. Your kissing scene with Ali reminds me of the time my mom said of my now gay ex, "Honey, I don't think he is super chaste...I am quite sure he is gay" Oh, the memories ;)

Come back boys...we miss you! At least we still have Kasey...

Input Requested

2010-06-13T20:02:00.010-06:00

I have found a few cute nursery sets and I want your vote. Sorry the pics are so small...I linked the site if you want to see a bigger pic. Which one is your favorite?

Nursery #1
(Although, the review said the bumper doesn't wash well)

Nursery #2

Nursery #3

Nursery #4

Nursery #5

I am still open to suggestions if you have a favorite nursery set you want to share (or a store)...I have yet to be sold on anything as of yet. Also, does anyone know of any cute bedding stores in Utah? We will be escaping the Phoenix heat for a quick trip this summer!

Love at First Sight

2010-06-08T15:10:00.008-06:00

Today was our 3-D ultra sound, and one of the coolest things we have done during this pregnancy. I am so in love with this little girl, I can't stand it! Can't wait to meet you baby darling!

*For the record I think this last pic looks just like our nephew, Nicky...good thing he is stinkin' cute ;)

So...is she a daddy's girl or a mommy's girl? Pretty sure she is going to look like her daddy.

And finally

*The obligatory 28 week shot...I can't remember, horizontal stripes are supposed to make you look thinner, right ;)

On the Go

2010-06-07T18:57:00.004-06:00

I am digging this JJ Cole Diaper Bag

What do you think? Did you go for style or functionality? I am hoping to not sacrifice one for the other.

Help!!!

2010-06-05T10:23:00.004-06:00

It finally hit me last night that we are going to have a living human being here in 12 weeks! As excited as I am for her arrival I am a tad nervous as we have yet to purchase a single item for this little gal, much less paint the nursery...Aaaahhhh! ;) Breath, Lisa, Breath!
Since Todd and I don't have any real plans for today, I thought we would go hit the baby stores and begin to think about a registry/what to buy this little girl. However, I have no idea what the essentials are. Yes, I know there are many lists online, but I would prefer to hear from all you fabulous moms out there what you feel were your best purchases. Truly, the women who have actually been there tend to have better advice than an article anyday! In particular I am interested to know:

*What do you really need for the nursery?
*What is the best stroller (I plan to run with her, so that needs to be taken into consideration)?
*What is the best car seat/stroller option for the early days?
*What are the best bottles? I plan to nurse, but I also want this little girl to be able to take breast milk in a bottle from Todd.
*What is the best high chair?
*Should I get a swing?
*Are monitors worth getting? I am going to be honest...they kind of creep me out! ;)
*What are the absolute essentials for the first 3 months?
*Any other recommendations that I haven't even thought about asking?

Weirdo

2010-05-14T23:20:00.005-06:00

This morning as my husband was whispering sweet nothings to my belly such as:

"Don't eat the powdered cookies from your mom."

I realized...

1) I have the strangest husband who I have no doubt will make me and this little girl laugh everyday of our lives

and

2) Flowers in the Attic really was one of the creepiest books of all time.

The end.

Nursery Ideas

2010-05-14T18:00:00.004-06:00

*Love the colors, although the pattern is not my first pick...why can't I combine the pattern I love with colors I want ;)

Anyone know of any adorable pink and green bedding sets? I am in love with that color combo...especially the brighter colors; however those are hard to find for babies! Also, this combo with a white crib is definitely causing me to reconsider my cherry crib love.

*Oh yeah, we are also obsessed with butterflies!

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T10:23:00.004-06:00

(I am fully aware I need a new pic of my mom! Apparently, this will be the year of picture taking :))

I feel incredibly blessed this Mother's Day as I reflect on all of the amazing sacrifices my mom has made for me over the years. Truly, she is an example to me in so many ways. I love her talent, grace, beauty, love, and strength. Happy Mother's Day!!!

I am also incredibly grateful to this beautiful lady for raising such a wonderful son, whom I adore! Rose, Todd truly looks to you as such an example in his life...as do I. We love you so much!

Dear Ziggy

2010-05-04T20:07:00.012-06:00

Today I am officially 23 weeks...with a picture to prove it ;) I have been rather nostalgic lately, right down to the type of food I have been craving. Who craves beef stroganoff? However, today my cravings have turned from ice cream and fatty foods to popsicles and salads...let's hope this sticks!
I have also been thinking about all the wonderful moments of this pregnancy, and realized I need to write these down lest I forget.

Words for my daughter...

(First pic of me pregnant...approx. 4 weeks)

*December 19, 2009, the morning that would change our life forever. Todd was running around preparing for a baptism in our ward. I had been taking pregnancy tests every month for the past few months (5 days before I was to miss a period mind you...can we say excited ;)) Of course, I decided to use one of the convenient stash I had on hand...it was negative. So, I jumped in the shower figuring it would be at least another month. By the time I hopped out of the shower it had turned positive. What!?! I immediately took another...again, positive!
You see, I had planned for months the creative way I would tell Todd about you...romantic dinner, themed dinner, present after work, etc. Well, none of these came to fruition. I was dying to spill the beans! I really thought I might spontaneously combust. And as the clock kept ticking I couldn't stand it anymore and finally called Todd...I still kind of regret my impulsivity, but what can you do?

Me: We are pregnant!
Todd: What? Are you sure? Take another test
Me: Yes, I am sure...I think (the line was pretty darn faint)

Lest you think your daddy wasn't excited (he was, he has wanted you more than anything...just simply in shock that a test was actually positive) we both broke down in tears in our separate locations after that phone call and each said a prayer to our Heavenly Father thanking him for you. We have loved you from that moment!

(Yes, I took two...and yes they were both faint so I took two more the next day ;))

*January 6, 2010: Hearing your heartbeat for the first time, and seeing first hand there actually was something growing in my body! Truly, I am not sure there is a more magical sound in the world. Todd and I were both in awe.

(Just a little lima bean)

*Week 12: Your heartbeat was 162 beats per minute...our first indication you were a girl. If you trust old wives tales that is. This was also the moment where I felt like I could breath a sigh of relief. 12 weeks is quite the milestone, and bless your little heart I made it the whole way without throwing up once! Love you for that!

*Week 16: Sex Check! Our doctor let us take a little sneak peak (refer back to my inability to wait to tell Todd about you). It's a..."Girl" exclaimed Todd. How could he tell that??? I was still trying to orient myself. Well, your dad was right.

(Not sure what it is about that bottom picture but we just want to pinch your cute bum every time we see it...adorable)

*Week 18: I was on my way home from work, and suddenly felt a twinge in my tummy unlike any other I have felt before...your first movement! It took you a little while to kick hard enough for me to feel you again, but I will never forget that first sensation.

*Week 20: The big ultra sound! You looked perfect in every way, and again we thanked God for your healthy development. I swear you are going to be a little ham. You were smiling and flipping over and over for the camera...definitely not a shy one! You'll probably be a chatty cathy like your pops ;)

(Check out that smile...performer like your mama or politician like your daddy?)

*April 27, 2010: By this point you were moving around like crazy. However, on this day I hadn't felt your little kicks in two days. I was beside myself with anxiety (what in the world am I going to do when you arrive!) I spoke to my doctor, who recommended I go to the hospital just to be sure. Well, you were stubborn and that darn nurse took about 5 minutes to find your little heartbeat...longest 5 minutes of my life! However, that heartbeat...most magical sound in the world. My heart was full at that moment.

*May 3, 2010: You finally gave your dad a little kick in the pants...well, the hand. Those kicks definitely aren't twinges anymore!

We can't wait to see what other great memories are in store...love you!

Child Rearing 101

2010-05-04T19:29:00.004-06:00

Last night I had a dream, and in this dream I was walking through an old bookstore. I found myself looking intently through the parenting section. “What practice is going to be best for my baby?”, “How do I begin to sort through these books?”, etc. were only some of the questions I had. Every time I went to reach for a book on the bookshelf I found myself discovering either the scriptures or words of the prophets in its place. I was so puzzled in this dream…until I woke up.The significance of the role of “mother” hit me with full force. The true art of mothering cannot be found in a book. Yes, wonderful ideas can be found (of which I am sure I will use plenty…everything has its place!) However, as anyone who has had more than one child can attest to, not every child is a Baby Wise baby, a Happiest Baby on the Block baby, or a Dr. Sears baby. What greater book can there be than one that inspires us to lead with the gift of the Spirit? I realized I have been looking beyond the mark in my studies. I read a quote by President McKay not too long ago in which he stressed the importance of having women in this church who are “scholars of the scriptures.” Why is this so important? I can think of quite a few reasons, but I am pretty sure the role of motherhood (whether to your own children or those you serve through callings, service, etc.) is at the top of the list of “whys.” I am also quite certain my recent 1-2 verses per night does not qualify me as a “scholar.”
Many of these parenting books have been written recently, yet truly great men and women have been raised for centuries. I have no doubt that the role of their mothers was quite significant. I dare to venture that these mothers were ones who led with the power of the Spirit and with inspiration from God. That is the type of mother I realized I need to strive to be…that above any other stereotypical “perfect mother” image we may have in our head. And trust me, we have a lot in our culture…most of which are hogwash if you ask me! Will I fall short much of the time?...most assuredly! However, I suppose that is what grace, and this journey, are all about.
So to all you mothers out there (yes, I feel strongly this includes those who have yet to marry or bear children…motherhood is the essence of womanhood in our everyday life), thank you for your example. I hope each of you can celebrate all that is powerful and wonderful about your divine role...especially this upcoming Mother's Day!

Making a House a Home

2010-05-02T18:28:00.008-06:00

Slowly but surely we are creating a home! It has been rather slow going, but we are loving our little place :) We have tons to do still...paint the baseboards, paint the cabinet doors, scrub the glue residue off the floor, hang pictures, place floral/decorative touches, etc. However, I thought I would give you a peak at a work in progress. Fortunately, it is dramatically improved since this post...as is our sanity :)

The Music/Dining Room

The Family Room

(Yes, we were smoking crack when we purchased ivory couches ;) Also, don't mind the picture we have yet to hang along with the coffee table we have yet to buy...Ziggy, and being fiscally responsible, takes precedence now)

The Kitchen/Breakfast Nook

(Missing cabinet doors is "modern," right??? Don't you love what Chris did to the island? If you forgot what it looked like before, check out the link above...thanks again for all your help, Chris!)

So there you have it...our "home"! I am beyond grateful for Todd who slaved day in and out putting down those hardwood floors, and tearing out the old mind you. All so I didn't have to inhale glue fumes, to keep our little one safe. I think he did an amazing job! He is my little contractor in shining armor, hahaha!

Be Bop

2010-05-01T00:22:00.003-06:00

Did any of you have a playlist during your delivery? I am wondering what some of your favorite songs were, or if you didn't have one...any suggestions?

*Sorry, I can't find my camera...I didn't forget about those pics :)

Musings...

2010-04-25T19:52:00.003-06:00

These past couple weeks have been rather chaotic and so much fun! Here are a few of the highlights, plus random musings of a pregnant gal.

*First of all...Bon Bon and Steve came to visit last week. I absolutely love my parents, and Todd and I were thrilled to show them around our great city. We ate ourselves silly at all the wonderful restaurants in Phoenix, hiked in Sedona, explored haunted buildings in Jerome, inspired mom and pops to get a German Shepherd after they fell in love with our adorable pup, and Bon Bon took me on a fabulous maternity shopping spree in Scottsdale. Is it possible to feel like pretty woman when you are married and with child? ;)

(Sadly, we didn't get any pics of the parents :( ...we/I kept forgetting the camara)

*Our house is 90% complete! We kind of pooped after last weekend and have lacked sufficient motivation to paint the baseboards and cabinet doors. Other than that, however, everything is moved in and it feels like a real home! I promise to post pics later this week. I simply prefer to snuggle with my hubby tonight rather than take pics. I sure am grateful for all of Todd's hard work...and Chris for spending his entire spring break helping us lay floors and designing a fabulous island!

*I adore being pregnant...is that weird? I truly feel like the body is an extradorinary thing, and I am grateful for this opportunity to be a mother. I am also quite grateful to be among the lucky ones who escaped the throws of morning sickness. Every now and again when I am alone at home I will sing to my little girl, with the hope that she will recognize my voice when she gets here :) I encourage Todd to talk to her too. I think he feels a little weird, but secretly I think he kind of likes it...He can't wait to be a dad. We sure do love her to pieces!
(I will be posting week 22 pics shortly as well)

*My doctor told me this week he will induce me up to 10 days early if I am dying in the heat and want to deliver. At first I was kind of excited, but then I decided I really want this baby to come on her own terms...I can take the heat! I also want to experience that "Honey, it's time!" experience. (Perhaps I will be singing a different tune following 3 months of 115 degree weather ;))

*I read CJanes birth story this week and was in tears by part 4. I am sure all of my readers read her blog, but if you haven't read it be sure to start with part I. There is no part of me that desires to give natural birth, and birthing in a tub is simply out of the question (no offense if that is your cup of tea). However, for a fleeting moment I almost contemplated going natural...albeit quite fleeting! That is pretty inspiring writing if it gave me pause ;)

Well, that about sums it up for me. Pics just around the corner...

Just Shy of 20...

2010-04-09T13:46:00.008-06:00

*Leaving for Work...note the tired eyes and smaller belly

*Post Lunch/Arriving Home! Haha, is that not crazy?! I take comfort in the fact that it goes back down slightly every night...very slightly ;)

I have had a few requests for a pregnancy pic, so I though I would indulge all ya'll (I must be a glutton for punishment) Truthfully I have just felt massive and uncomfortable these past few weeks. However, I received my first pair of maternity pants a couple days ago (thanks Bon Bon!) and immediately I felt like a million bucks! Who knew a pair of pants that fit could make a girl feel so great? Now, I am in love with my growing belly and everything it symbolizes. This little girls has been moving like crazy these past couple of days, and I fall more and more in love with her at every butterfly kick. Can't wait to meet you little Ziggy! (Yes, we are now second guessing Elizabeth so it is back to Ziggy)

He Lives

2010-04-03T23:46:00.005-06:00

*I realize I posted this video a year or two ago, but I came across it again tonight and was touched as I reflected upon the life of my Savior. Click here to view more profound testimonies bearing witness that Jesus is the Christ.

At this time of year my heart is overwhelmed with gratitude for the relationship I have with my Savior Jesus Christ. I know that he not only He Lives, but He truly is my Savior and Redeemer. I know that his profound suffering in Gethsemane and upon the cross were not in vain, for He is risen! I know that through Him we are sanctified and purified so that we may stand in His presence again, where we may live eternally. Our trials and struggles find purpose; we are able to find "peace that surpasses all understanding."
As I watched this video, of course the picture of Mary with baby Jesus brought tears to my eyes. I can only imagine what she must have been feeling as she held this King of Kings. As I begin this adventure of motherhood, terrified I will never be able to provide this precious spirit everything she needs, I am comforted to know that through his atoning power I will gain the necessary inspiration to fulfill this divine role of motherhood.
I love Him, and pray that we may all feel his tender embrace this Easter Season!

Desert Bloom

2010-04-02T09:59:00.009-06:00

It is weeks like this that I simply fall in love with Arizona! Everywhere I go the desert seems to be blooming with the most magnificent colors. I thought I would share a few of my favorite flowers from the desert. Perhaps one day when I am as amazing as my SIL I will post my own photos ;)

Call Me Inquisitive

2010-03-31T22:43:00.006-06:00

I truly swore I would not be that girl whose blog turned babycentric during my pregnancy, but I can't help it...I have so many questions! You were all so wonderful with your comments to my last post, I thought I would throw out another question for you ladies :)
Was anyone else completely overwhelmed with all the baby/parenting/breast-feeding/birthing books out there? I have no idea where to start, and heaven knows I do not have the time to read all of them! So, what were some of the most helpful/influential books you read? Which ones were a complete waste of time?

Question... Plus Postscript

2010-03-26T14:21:00.003-06:00

Sorry for all the pregnancy posts, but it is pretty consuming these days :)
I have a question for all my mother readers out there...Does the nursery need to be in the bedroom closest to the Master or does it really matter so long as it is on the same floor? I appreciate your input on my little poll.

*As a postscript, did you use a bassinet in the room or straight to the nursery?

Obsessed

2010-03-21T11:04:00.002-06:00

I am in love with this crib from PBK! Anyone know of any knock offs that aren't so ridiculously priced? :)

Hsssssssssssssss...

2010-03-20T10:46:00.004-06:00

We absolutely love how our neighborhood is surrounded by "mountains." However, this morning as Todd was walking our dog he found a slight drawback on our street...rattlesnakes! Anyone want to go trail running? ;)

*Sorry about the graphic image, he was hit by a car

Some Days...

2010-03-19T09:55:00.011-06:00

I finally found my camera! Now I can post many of the glorious "before"pictures for your viewing pleasure ;) As you look at these you can imagine why some days I just want to cry! However, looking at the 8 strips of flooring that are in...it is going to be beautiful :) I love my babe, and am incredibly grateful to him, for working so hard on our "little" project!

*Side note: As I was writing this post I received a call from my madre letting me know Chris had booked his flight for spring break this upcoming week to help us. You see, yesterday I called my mom to vent in utter frustration and while feeling a tad high from all the wood glue, worried I was killing my babe in utero! (I know, pregnancy can make you a tad nuts at times ;) In my defense it is the one thing my very liberal doctor has said I should stay away from) I was mostly sad that we didn't live near family during these renovations, especially Chris with his mad house renovation skills! Anyway, I felt better after the conversation having a moment to vent and thought nothing more of our call. Well, last night Chris called to let me know he was booking a flight to come help us. I let him know he did not need to spend his one week off working on floors and he simply said: "That's what family is for." As soon as I got of the phone my hormonal self began to cry with gratitude...seriously, I truly believe I have the greatest family in the world! Perhaps one day I will be as good of a sister as Chris is a brother...

The Kitchen

The Family Room

The Dining/Music Room

And a bonus glimpse of our "white trash" living

(Dishwasher in the hall)

(Oven on the back porch)

Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails?

2010-03-16T14:01:00.004-06:00

*Does that middle "thumb sucking" pic kill you as much as it does me? :)

Perhaps, but for most...

Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice

And Such are Little Girls Made of!!!

Waiting Game

2010-03-12T21:12:00.003-07:00

I am curious if any of my readers have actually waited until delivery to find out if they are having a boy or girl. It seems to be the trend in my workplace. However, there is NO way Todd and I could do it. It is taking enough self restraint not to go to the mall before our appointment on Tuesday!
Just a few more days...

Ick!

2010-02-26T11:17:00.004-07:00

If I eat another bite from here:

Here:

Or even here:

I just may hurl! I cannot tell you how excited I am for a stove, oven, and a home cooked meal. I think we will be eating in for quite some time once this renovation is complete!

Ramblings of Sort

2010-02-25T11:07:00.011-07:00

*My favorite pregnancy book is "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy." Perhaps a tad irreverent at times, but let's face it a girl needs to know those things no one will tell her ;)

*Like she says in her book, "The pregnancy gods tend to be fair." I may have missed morning sickness, but this pregnancy thing has not been all peachy...they are fair indeed ;)

*I am fascinated that it is possible to not gain any weight (which just changed with those paradise cookies I devoured;)), yet still have your pants feel tight around the waist. I am ready for a bump, not a thick waist!

*People can say obnoxious things during pregnancy. For the record, it is always best to err on the side of compliments with a pregnant gal. My husband has it down pat..."What tightness, those pants are looking loose, babe" Hahaha!

*We find out the sex of our little kiddo in 3 weeks! I am curious as to all of your predictions... Should we paint the nursery pink or blue?

*We attended our ward for the first time on Sunday, and absolutely love it! It is massive, but super friendly. We can't wait for our renovations to be done, so we can throw a big housewarming party!

*On that note, renovations always take much longer than anticipated...especially when you are learning as you go! My appreciation for my husband is tremendous. He has been working round the clock to make our home look beautiful, while I have been working like a crazy woman at my job.

*I found it incredibly strange that several people in our new ward asked if we leased or owned our house. I was tempted to reply, "Neither, we are squatting for now." However, decorum got the best of me ;)

Dotted Line...

2010-01-31T18:39:00.003-07:00

We have officially signed on the dotted line, and are now homeowners! Technically, everything should be finished processing by tomorrow night, or Tuesday morning, but the deed is done. Sheesh, I feel so grown up!
What with being pregnant, crazy busy at work, moving, and beginning renovation projects I think I will be a tad busy for a post this week. However, pics and updates are sure to come quickly!

Down She Goes

2010-01-23T09:13:00.002-07:00

I know I really should not laugh at the embarrassment of others, but I was in tears this morning watching this. Perhaps it is that I relate having numerous experiences such as this myself...well, not on the world stage ;)

September 1, 2010

2010-01-19T17:50:00.003-07:00

*Photo at 6 weeks, yesterday Ziggy was four times this big!

I realize I am supposed to be waiting 12 weeks for the big announcement but waiting 8 weeks to spill the beans has just about killed me! I am pregnant!!!
I will be perfectly frank, I am terrified of sharing this news because I understand just how tenuous and precious these first few months are to a developing child. I am also keenly aware that my history of thyroid cancer makes it a tad more tenuous. However, I could really use the prayers of all my blogging friends that all goes well with our little lima bean. And the only way to let you know I could use your help is to share the excitement :)
Hearing the heartbeat for the first time, yesterday, was simply magical. Is there a better sound in this world? We already love little Ziggy so much. (Yes, for now our fetus is referred to as Ziggy the Zygote) It is incredible how spiritual the longing of mother/fatherhood truly is. I have felt so close to the Lord through this whole experience, and I pray that inspiration may remain through the years. Now, if the whole emotional/nausea thing could just pass ;)

Golden Globes

2010-01-17T13:26:00.005-07:00

Who are you rooting for tonight? I am torn between my two new favorite shows...

And

Man, I love me some good TV ;)

Inspired

2010-01-11T11:24:00.003-07:00

I am obsessed with this website. It inspires me along this process of decorating our new house to make it a home. Oh, and did I mention our financing was approved last week! Yipee, who knew so many documents existed in this world ;) Hopefully we will be closing in the next couple of weeks. Keep your fingers crossed!
Her Kitchen makes me so excited to overhaul our ugly oak cabinets into something soft and inviting. Isn't it beautiful? I love the subway tile backsplash and white cabinets.

(Photo via "The Inspired Room")

I will be thrilled if our kitchen comes out looking 1/4 this good! You are all invited to a house warming soiree once the big project is completed. I will be sure to post lots of before and after pics of our minature remodel.

Happy Anniversary

2010-01-03T21:10:00.004-07:00

One year ago I married the love of my life. That day was the most magical of my life; truly, one I will never forget. I cannot imagine anyone with whom I could have such hilarious, exciting, and spiritual experiences, or with whom I would rather spend the rest of my life. Thanks for making this past year such an amazing one! I love you!

2010

2010-01-01T16:50:00.005-07:00

2009 was a bit of a bust in terms of keeping up on this blog. It may seem as though I had merely 1/2 the amazing adventures to write about in 2009 than in 2008, but it was quite the opposite. 2009 was a year of tremendous success, joy and happiness. I was simply lazy at blogging and incredibly busy with life! I felt the Lord's loving hand guiding and blessing my life in ways I never dreamed possible. I pray 2010 may be just as glorious as the last!

A few highlights from last year include:

*Marrying the love of my life on January 3rd, 2009
*Subsequently playing in Hawaii for a week with said love
*Completing my Masters program
*Moving away to create a home of our own in AZ
*Embarking upon the worst job of my life
*Quitting the worst job of my life, and starting the best job of my life
*Turned the big 3-0
*Rockin' out at the U2 concert
*Trips to Austin, Portland, Boston, Boise, SLC (yes, it is now a trip), Maui, and Colombia for Todd
*Purchasing our first home...may it close in 2010!
*Discovering the meaning of true love, and learning that "selfless" is the most important quality when choosing a spouse.

What were some of the highlights from your year? What was the best year for you in the 2000s? Obviously, mine was 2009...it made up for the tough years in between ;)

Pa Rum Pum Pum Pum

2009-12-06T11:47:00.005-07:00

I must admit "Little Drummer Boy" has always been on the bottom of my Christmas favorites list. It just irritated me for some unknown reason. I was talking with Todd yesterday, and he informed me his favorite Christmas song is "Little Drummer Boy." Seriously? He asked, "Have you ever listened to the words?" Honestly, I have never listened to the words in all my 30 years! He then shared the final lines:

Little Baby, pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too, pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring, pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give the King, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Shall I play for you, pa rum pum pum pum,
On my drum?

Mary nodded, pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him, pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him, pa rum pum pum pum,
rum pum pum pum, rum pum pum pum,

Then He smiled at me, pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

Immediately, my mind flashed to my little 4-year old nephew. I imagined little Ollie in a crowd of people, all giving expensive gifts to their king. I then saw him walk up to the Savior, in complete earnestness, and offer share the greatest gift he had. Can you just imagine him (or your son) playing those drums with all the intensity of his little 4-year old soul? "I played my best for him!"..."Then He smiled at me"
We may not always be in a place to give the "finest" gifts to our king, but we can offer him our hearts. We can give the best of whatever seemingly insignificant sacrifice we may lay before our Savior in gratitude. I challenge any of you who may not like this song to picture your son, grandson, or nephew as the little drummer boy and tell me if this is now one of your favorite songs!

I am kind of in a Faith Hill Christmas mood, so her is her version. However, there are a ton of great renditions.

Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

2009-10-24T01:05:00.004-06:00

(Why not use this post to show off the newest member of the clan...isn't he adorable!!! Check out more fabulous photos here)

I stumbled upon this blog and fell in love. It makes me so excited to have little boy one day!

1001 Rules for My Unborn Son

*As a side note, I can totally see Todd doing something like this for our little guy one day...as much as he plays it cool, he is so excited to have a little son to teach rules such as #337: Carry two handkerchiefs. (The one in your back pocket is for you. The one in your breast pocket is for her.) or #360: Never under any circumstance ask a woman if she is pregnant. Hahaha, so true!

Swan Lake

2009-10-23T23:06:00.003-06:00

Whether you are a fan of ballet or not, you must watch this...absolutely incredible!!! There is something powerful about witnessing greatness in others that truly inspires me to cultivate the talents I have been given.

*If you are the impatient type at least watch the last 2-3 minutes ;)

Hmmm...Really?

2009-10-14T22:15:00.004-06:00

Two people, yes two, have stopped me randomly on the street and entering a restaurant to tell me I look just like Christina Applegate. You remember her...the tramp from Married With Children!

And today:

I don't really see it, but hey she is hot...I'll take it ;) How about you, who do people say you look like?

30 Something

2009-10-08T22:59:00.004-06:00

Does anyone remember their parents watching this show when they were kids? Does anyone also remember thinking 30 is so old? I do!
This past week I have noticed clerks in the store have moved from saying, "Excuse me miss" to "Excuse me mam." Aaaahhh...am I really turning 30 this year! Perhaps I should be sad about leaving my 20s, but I am quite excited to welcome the next decade. I feel like life gets better every year. Plus, I have yet to meet someone who didn't say it has been their best decade yet. However, I do want to cherish my last bit of "twentysomething" years...before I get too old ;)
Any ideas how I can make the last couple months of my 20s memorable?

Home is Where the Heart Is

2009-10-05T20:08:00.003-06:00

I am obsessed with kitchens these days. Todd and I daydream about the kitchen we want in our home someday...his is a tad more elaborate than mine ;) Perhaps it is because we love hosting dinner parties, but nothing is more important in a home to me than a beautiful kitchen that opens to a warm family room. I can't wait to bake cookies with our kids, throw elaborate holiday celebrations with Todd, and fill our home with incredible aromas and memories!
How about you? What do you think is the best room in the house?

I'm Back...?

2009-10-04T20:55:00.006-06:00

It is always strange writing a post, after a hiatus. Let's face it, my blog has been one continuous hiatus for some time now! I know I keep saying this, but I truly am hoping to get back into a blogging groove one of these days. Things are truckin' right along here in good ole' AZ. Here are some of the highs and lows of life in the fast lane. Ok, maybe life isn't too fast and furious but it sounds good ;)

Highs:

(Does this picture not just melt your heart?)

*I have a fabulous new job as an adoption and pregnancy counselor and absolutely love it! Who knew a switch from the known, eating disorder therapist, to the unknown (alright, "less known") could be so fabulous. Truly, I feel blessed everyday. It was time to switch life up a bit.

*The temps are finally dropping! I can actually walk out the door without sweating like an old man post workout. (Ummm, was that too visual?)
*Todd and I are looking for a house. I am obsessed with realty. Does anyone have any questions about homes for sale in AZ? I am sure I can help you!
*I'm still crazy in love with my baby! I love that I married my best friend.

Lows:

(Welcome to my commute)

*AZ traffic and drivers are horrendous! Seriously, I thought it was virtually impossible to find worse drivers than Utahns. However, the AZ jerks in their trucks combined with super slow snowbirds have me pulling my hair out every day during my hour long commute!
*Not really any other lows right now, life is good...knock on wood!

*Photos from Google Images

Finding Hope

2009-09-11T10:46:00.003-06:00

I realize quite a few bloggers have added this inspirational story, but I couldn't help but share it myself. What a profound testimony of finding hope and faith through the tragedy of 9/11. I hope we can all remember those impressions we had when we witnessed the towers fall...to love our families more, serve others more, have more gratitude, have more faith, etc.
Thank you to all the heroes out there who fight everyday for our freedom!

Let the Rain Come Down

2009-09-10T21:59:00.006-06:00

There is something magical about a Phoenix thunderstorm. Perhaps it is the illuminating lightening, the deafening thunder, or simply the pouring rain washing the film of dirt away. Whatever it is, I can't get enough!
As the rain was pouring down the other night I couldn't help but think of all the muck and dirt that accompanied my arrival in Phoenix. My experience mirrored my feelings about the city...everything was covered in a layer of dust that distorted all the beauty around me. Then, as a monsoon through the desert, everything changed. The dust was lifted and life became beautiful again. Oh, how I am grateful for the rain!

Oh My Goodness...

2009-09-04T08:35:00.003-06:00

I have been laughing about this all morning. Hearing things like this reminds me just how crazy guys (and women, of course) can be while looking for their true love. Thank goodness for marriage to a non-creep :)

Click here to listen

Disturbing, No?

2009-09-02T20:55:00.005-06:00

I am not sure about you, but I find the two shows listed below to be thoroughly revolting. So much so, that they don't even fall into the "It's so bad I have to watch" category. I have only seen one episode of each and knew I had had enough.

1. "Toddlers and Tiaras": What in the world are those mothers thinking?!? How can encouraging your daughter to strut around in an over sexualized leather two piece ever be a wise decision? If one is intending to raise a neurotic, eating disordered, psychologically disturbed child then be my guest.

2. "More to Love": How can one say this is a show celebrating body acceptance only to publish the women's weights as they introduce them on opening night? AAARGH! Don't even get me started on how creepy the bachelor seems to be!

*Are you with me on this? What shows do you find to be horrendous?

Lisa & Julia???

2009-08-17T21:46:00.005-06:00

It is true, I am no Julia Child. A baker? Somewhat, but a chef? Hardly!!! Seriously, where does one even begin with a raw turkey?

My dinner entrees tend to enlist the help of places like this:

and this:

(What can I say, I married a fantastic chef)

However, tonight a magical thing happened...I tested my culinary skills in full force (french cooking techniques and all) and it turned out pretty darn good, plus I thoroughly enjoyed the creative process. (Ok, maybe there was one teensy moment where I got a tad flustered ;)) Perhaps there is hope for me after all!
Todd and I are going to try alternating cooking nights, rather than our usual...he cooks, I clean. So here is where you come in...Do any of you have fantastic recipes to share or food blogs that inspire you? Have any of you found a passion for cooking and creating wonderful dishes? Please share!

*Unfortunately, I can't find my camera charger to take pictures :(

Amazed

2009-08-10T17:26:00.005-06:00

Sometimes I am amazed that I grew up in a place where I can run to spots like these in a mere 10-15 min from my doorstep! Yes, running at 10 o'clock this morning and NOT melting was absolute bliss :)

Highs & Lows

2009-08-03T12:44:00.009-06:00

Have you ever been so excited about a new adventure, only to be hit by a dose of reality upon embarking upon that journey? I suppose you could say there have been quite a few reality checks that have come with our Arizona escapade. However, rather than wallow in the frustrations (Did someone say one of the hottest July's on record?) I thought I would share some of my favorite parts of this journey. Of course, the absolute best part has been creating a new little life with Todd. There is something magical about setting off with the one you love to build up your family together!
Along with loving my time with Todd there are some pretty awesome aspects of AZ. So, in preparation for visitors in the fall/winter (hint, hint, nudge, nudge) I have decided to begin compiling a "best of" AZ list.

Best Restaurants:

Thai: Malee's (Be adventurous and get the sweet pickled jalepeno crispy pla! It is to die for :))

Anything by this owner: La Grande Orange (Yummy Breakfast!)
Chelsea's Kitchen (Good comfort food...I would recommend the short ribs served by chef recommendation with an over easy egg on top)
Postino's (This is technically a wine bar, but has fantastic bruschetta and a great atmosphere)

Japanese/Sushi: Zen 32 (I firmly believe that sushi is only good when one veers away from the California Roll!)

Down Home Southern Cooking: LoLo's Chicken and Waffles (Just putting this out there...it is in the hood and Todd and I were the only white people in the restaurant. I am not even much of a fried chicken fan, but it was delish! Nothing like fried chicken with a mason jar full of Kool Aid :))

Pizza: Pizzaria Bianco (Apparently this place is known as one of the best pizza places in the country...however, we haven't been up to waiting outside in a line, in 115 degree weather, for up to 3 hours! We promise to make the trek once the weather cools down and let you know if it lives up to all the hype)
Grimaldi's (We have yet to try this as well, but it is the same owner as the original in NYC)

Mexican: Rosa's Mexican Grill (Yummy yummy Shrimp Tacos)

Gelato: The Gelato Spot (This gelato takes me back to my days in Italy. I could eat it everyday. Good thing it is a bit of a drive ;))

Best Weekend Getaways: Sedona (Truly breathtaking with some incredible hikes. Plus, the 10-15 degree drop in temperature is sure nice in the summer. If you are into Vortexes, this is certainly the place to go...although I must admit I haven't explored that aspect of Sedona)

Prescott (Again, the drop in temp is fantastic. Plus the town square with its old town feel is rather charming)

Payson/Strawberry (Great hikes, cool antique shops, and charming little cafes/homemade icecream shops)

Best Shopping:
Last Chance (This is a Norstrom Outlet...Waaaay better than Nordstrom Rack. Basically, anything that was returned or they couldn't sell for some small defect is there. I can't tell you how many Zegna, Armani and Canalli suits Todd has found for like $40.00. I think you have to be a little more patient to search through the women's apparel though. Isn't that how it always is?)

Scottsdale Mall (A girl can dream right? One day we will have money to blow there...yeah???)

So there you have it, not too shabby eh? I will be sure to add as we continue our adventure. Does anyone else think it is pathetic how many restaurants Todd and I have found? Perhaps I should go do my P90X dvd ;)

New Addition

2009-06-28T23:31:00.012-06:00

Recently, Todd and I were able to visit Portland for one last hurrah before facing "real life." I am completely obsessed with this city, and all of it's urban charm. It is fantastic! As a result, I have decided to add this city as a "new addition" to my list. I thought I would share a few of the gems that make this place so irresistible.

*Todd and I spent an entire day hiking five different waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge. It was worth every ounce of energy required to see those majestic beauties. Following our day of hiking we ate at this fabulous restaurant. There are restaurants along the river all over this place. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a complete sucker for anything on the water! The salmon and chowder were perhaps the best I have ever had.

*This bookstore is a book lovers paradise. I think there are 6 floors, or something ridiculous like that, filled with every book you can imagine...old or new, fiction through non-fiction, and on and on and on! My only regret is we had too little time to truly take in the many fabulous finds.

*The parks are incredible...these are not any ordinary parks. We are talking Japanese Gardens, Rose Gardens, etc.

*The Oregon coast is just a short jaunt from the city. The quaint port towns were simply charming!

*And of course, the primary purpose of our trip was to do some work at this gorgeous temple. It was an experience I will never forget.

Iconic

2009-06-25T22:23:00.002-06:00

MJ, you will be missed. You truly were a legend.

Forgive Me

2009-06-25T22:14:00.003-06:00

Please forgive me for the lengthy hiatus from blogging. We have been very busy rising at the crack of dawn to work long hours, unpacking boxes, honing our interior decorating skills, and completely reveling in married life. We are hosting our first dinner party at our place on Monday night! I think that makes us official ;)
I promise to post pics of our new digs as soon as our final boxes are unpacked!

Daddy's Girl

2009-06-21T10:45:00.002-06:00

One of the blessings of living away from family is that everyday you grow to appreciate the little things that happen when you do get to be together. Of course on this day, my mind is turned towards my dad and all that he has done for me in my life. I truly love and respect him for the man he is. He has always been one of my greatest cheerleaders. He beams with pride at my accomplishments and is patient and kind with my failures. I love that he and Todd can disagree til they are blue in the face, but when the day is done they will sit back as buds talking about the latest in men's fashion. One of the words I think best illustrates my dad is "consistent." I have never questioned whether or not he will do what he says he would. He is a rock in my life.
Sigmund Freud once said, "I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father's protection." In a world where the role of father's is often overlooked and deemed as "unnecessary" in raising a child, I salute all those men who work everyday to protect, nurture and love your children. Happy Father's Day!!!

Trash TV

2009-05-25T20:32:00.005-06:00

Tonight Todd and I were flipping through the channels and watched this show for a few minutes. It was in that moment I decided: If I am going to waste precious time watching trashy (yes trashy, "So You Think You Can Dance" is an entirely different story!) reality TV, I will not be watching this...

I will be wasting my time watching this gem of a show. I haven't quite decided how I feel about the Jersey girls just yet. It kind of reminds me of a bad accident that you want desperately to avert your eyes from, yet somehow you find yourself watching.

*How about you...any guilty reality TV pleasures?

So...

2009-05-22T11:54:00.002-06:00

I passed my clinical licensure exam!!!

WAHOO!!!!!!!

Hey Mamma

2009-05-10T09:03:00.003-06:00

This past year my thoughts and feelings regarding motherhood have grown tremendously. I have watched my own mother sacrifice her time and money to give me the most incredible wedding. I adored those afternoons studying cakes, menus, linens, etc. with her. It is a time I will always treasure. She is a woman of class and beauty. I look up to her in so many ways and am profoundly grateful to have her in my life!
I have sat with women who have sought the tremendous blessing of motherhood for years to no avail. I have learned that the Lord has a plan for us, even when it seems that our righteous desires have gone unnoticed. Through these meetings my understanding of the divinely sanctioned role of motherhood has increased tremendously. We (women) were ordained to this role, even before we came to this earth. Eve, "the mother of all living," was given this name before she had children. This role is innate within us, whether we have been granted the blessing of children or not. It is what defines our divine nature, and inspires those unique traits the Lord has given us...traits that help us lift others when they are down, offer a helping hand when someone is overwhelmed, rejoice in a child's laughter, etc.
To both my mother's (yes, I have a new addition...I love you so much Rose!) Happy Mother's Day! I would not be the woman I am today without you. Thank you for honoring your role as a mother. I love you!

Confession

2009-04-28T18:54:00.004-06:00

I am not going to lie...My hubby and I are obsessed with this man

You either love him or hate him...are you a lover or a hater?

The End.

2009-04-24T09:10:00.006-06:00

Yesterday I turned in my last paper, and attended my last class of grad school. Truthfully, it was somewhat of surreal day. I still feel flooded by a wave of emotions: pure giddiness and excitement, relief, apprehension, sadness, etc. During these past three years I have learned more about perseverance, purpose of life and trials, sorrow, love, compassion, motivation, and so much more. The brilliant part is that 90 % of this is learning happened outside the classroom. It has been a good run. One that taught me this is exactly the work I want to do.
Despite the various emotions I am absolutely thrilled about this next chapter of life that Todd and I are about to embark upon...the world is our oyster! We have no idea where we will end up in a month or so, and I love it (for now ;)).

I came home to these beautiful flowers and balloons from my sweet hubby (isn't he the best?), following which my family took me back to Cucina Toscana to celebrate the day. Thanks everyone for rejoicing in this day with me. See you at graduation!

Happy Easter

2009-04-12T11:00:00.005-06:00

Words cannot begin to express the profound love I have for my Savior Jesus Christ. I have felt His loving arms lift me when I was overcome with weakness, His power strengthen me when I doubted my own strength, His Truths enlighten me when I sought them in faith, His tender mercy comfort me through sorrow, and I have felt the sanctification process that can be found in no other way than through His infinite atoning sacrifice. I know he suffered, bled and died on Calvary's Hill, and that He is Risen! Because of this, let us remember that we are never alone on our journey...

(If the embedded link disappears again, you can watch it here)

Giving Thanks

2009-04-08T18:56:00.000-06:00

I cannot make any promises regarding the quality of my posts for the next few weeks, as I am incredibly busy getting everything completed for graduation. However, I thought I would take a few moments to give thanks for the simple and grand blessings in my life

~The wonderful opportunities I have been given for education in my life
~A fantastic hubby who surprises me at work with yummy dinners and laughs with me at night like we are little kids at a sleepover
~Spiritual Enlightenment and a desire to be better
~Spring (yes, I know it appears to be no where in sight, but I know it is coming...it has to be!!!)
~My health and happiness
~Wonderful people who support me and whom I absolutely adore
~All of my adorable nieces and nephews...I love that I just doubled the cuteness and love when I got married!

Important News Flash

2009-03-21T10:19:00.006-06:00

Note: When making strawberry shortcake, 1 Tablespoon of baking powder is VERY different from 1 Tablespoon of baking soda! I do not recommend trying the latter.
To Todd's (yes, I married a master chef) credit, he tried to hide the obvious grimace that naturally arose from the incredibly bitter flavor. He sweetly said, "Maybe there is something just a little off, honey." *2nd attempt = success

Do Tell

2009-03-16T22:49:00.003-06:00

Why would you run here?

When you can run here?

Sexual Harassment?!?

2009-03-10T21:39:00.006-06:00

Tonight I attended my adorable cousin's senior violin recital (she was fantastic). As I was leaving I encountered an adorable old man, her grandpa perhaps? We will call him A.O.M. for ease of purpose. Our conversation went a little something like this:

A.O.M. (Grabbing my arm) My my aren't you a cute little thing!

Me: (Laughing and blushing simultaneously)

A.O.M. You know, it doesn't count as sexual harassment when you are over 90

Oh my goodness, I almost wet my pants laughing! Isn't growing old wonderful?

(*Note, I don't condone true skeeziness in old men...he was just funny;))

I Am Obsessed...

2009-03-09T21:13:00.003-06:00

...with these cookies. Forget the "no sugar" kick everyone seems to be on! I will need some serious persuasion to give up these puppies, and I don't think you have it ;) Anyone want to make a trip to AF?

*Note, the ice cream sandwiches are a bit much...I prefer to stick with the classic sugar a la carte

Boo!!!

2009-03-09T16:47:00.005-06:00

First, I trudge through the day yesterday with one less hour of sleep thinking it is well worth it because daylight savings means one thing...SPRING!!!!!!! Then, I leave work tonight to find a very similar picture to this...

Spring, I would appreciate your arrival in the most timely manner. I miss my flip flops!

Finding the Extraordinary

2009-03-05T16:16:00.011-07:00

On January 12, 2007 a man pulled out his violin and began playing beautiful melodies. It was rush hour at the L'Enfant Plaza in Washington D.C., much too chaotic to take notice of the world outside one's stress filled bubble. The "street performer" played for 45 minutes, during which time 1,097 people passed by, 7 of whom stopped for a moment to listen...Does this story sound familiar? It is the tale of violin virtuoso, Joshua Bell, going unnoticed in a busy subway station. I bring this story back to my blog, because for one reason or another I was drawn to it again, 2 years following the actual experiment. In the article (which received a Pulitzer), published in the Washington Post, I read a quote that touched my heart:

"Do you stop and listen? Do you hurry past with a blend of guilt and irritation, aware of your cupidity but annoyed by the unbidden demand on your time and your wallet? Do you throw in a buck, just to be polite? Does your decision change if he's really bad? What if he's really good? Do you have time for beauty? Shouldn't you? What's the moral mathematics of the moment?"

I fear I may have missed some profound moments of extraordinary beauty, simply because they occurred in an ordinary setting. A setting where I was too focused on accomplishing tasks that I let the beauty remain unseen. So I ask, what is the moral mathematics of the moment? Why is it that every child who walked through that Plaza was instantly drawn to the music? Are we born with an innate recognition of beauty, that is somehow smothered along the way? How do we "accomplish it all," yet have time to savor true talent and beauty?
I certainly hope my life will be more than a summation of tasks completed and accomplishments achieved. It doesn't really seem worth all the effort without the glorious moments scattered in between.

Zzzzzz

2009-02-26T12:29:00.006-07:00

I am very tired. I slept a mere 3-4 hours last night, because Todd was making business deals aloud in his sleep. Hmm, do you think he is stressed ;) Perhaps I will call it a day early tonight!

*The temporary lack of sleep does not negate my excitement at our happy reunion. And yes, it was indeed happy!

Silver Lining?

2009-02-25T07:52:00.004-07:00

Yesterday was a "Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." To sum it up mildly, it was one lesson after another in Murphy's Law!

(Perhaps not quite this bad ;))

The silver lining you ask?

The husband and I get the whole afternoon to ourselves...A 12 day trip is a very long trip for newlyweds!

Earnestly Seeking

2009-02-21T18:00:00.006-07:00

Married white female earnestly seeking girlfriends (or gay men for that matter...perhaps I should audition for a play ;)) with whom to engage in social activities while husband is working abroad.
*Per mutual request, relationships will continue upon husband's return.

Inquiries may be left in the comment section.

Thank you for your interest.

Little Lovelies

2009-02-19T20:06:00.011-07:00

Nearly everyday I am inspired by what I like to call, "little lovelies." Unfortunately, on those days when I am not inspired I am most likely too absorbed in my own stuff to take notice, for they are always there. These little lovelies can include anything: music, literature, people, nature...you get the idea ;) Here are a few of my favorite from this week:

1. The power of the human spirit. I am blessed to have a job where I witness this power everyday. Truly, I am amazed at the resiliency of those with whom I work and their dedication to keep fighting everyday despite the obstacles life has thrown at them. I am inspired to be better and to overcome my own weaknesses.
2. L.O.V.E. This show was AMAZING, and I don't use that word lightly when it comes to performances! The choreography, music, artistry, and of course the dancers, *sigh. It just may have inspired me to dream of the stage again :)

3. The Good Word. I spoke in church a couple of Sundays ago and I felt a powerful light in my life as I immersed myself in the scriptures. Too often I fall into a pattern of ease with simply reading. I was inspired to feast upon the word. What would happen if we studied the gospel everyday in the same manner as those days in which we are preparing a talk?

What are the little lovelies in your life?

Cha Ching!

2009-02-18T23:08:00.008-07:00

(I make no claim to this being the amount of money I now have...I am still a social worker for crying out loud)

I was talking with a co-worker today about our internship and she casually mentioned how nice it is that we received a 40% increase in our hourly wage at the beginning of the year. What?!?! How did I miss that? Sure enough, I looked at my recent automatic deposits and found a delightful little surprise. Being oblivious during wedding chaos/marital bliss sure is nice when it leads to a lovely discovery on what would be a dreary February day.

Happy Birthday!

2009-02-17T00:09:00.003-07:00

Unfortunately I was driving all day and did not have the opportunity to wish this wonderful woman a happy "40th" birthday! Mom, I love you so much and can't imagine my life without your fabulous influence. You truly are the cream of the crop!

Is This the Picture of "Empowerment"?

2009-02-15T14:57:00.007-07:00

I was reading through the news today and came across this story about a 22 year old woman auctioning off her virginity to pay for grad school. What appalled me, other than the obvious issue of prostitution, is how "Natalie Dylan" describes this selling of herself as "empowering" and as a "new feminism." Unfortunately, I see this more and more with young women in our society. Somehow empowerment has been linked to sexuality. Things that were once degrading such as pornography, pole dancing, slutty clothing, etc. are now heralded as tools of "empowerment." As I was reading different articles related to this topic I was completely appalled by the men's R-rated comments on the message boards regarding Natalie. There was nothing empowering in any of those messages!
In a year where true women's empowerment has been displayed in politics, education, business, medicine, etc., I hope we can create an empowerment renaissance. I pray our young women can learn that true empowerment is gained through hard work, morality, education, achievements, service, faith, etc. Natalie Dylan's example of empowerment must be replaced by the examples found in such extraordinary women as Rosa Parks, Mother Theresa, Margaret Thatcher, Sandra Day O'Connor, Marie Curie, Carly Fiorina, church leaders, mothers of the world, and so many more.
I believe virtue (and empowerment) truly does have a worth far above rubies, and for the sake of your (and hopefully one day, my) daughters I certainly pray it is not $3.7 million.

How Lucky I Am to Have So Much to Lose

2009-02-14T19:25:00.005-07:00

When I logged out of my hotmail account today I noticed a headline on the MSN homepage that read, "How Lucky I Am to Have So Much to Lose." The title struck me because, due to circumstances beyond our control, I had just said goodbye to my husband to spend our first Valentine's in different cities. Yes, I will admit there was a tinge of self-pity, but mostly I was simply missing my best friend by my side. It was a profound reminder to me that I truly am blessed to have "so much to lose." I have a husband who would do anything in the world for me, someone who makes me laugh everyday, someone who works hard so that he can provide me with the type of life he feels I deserve (and never complains in the meantime), and someone whom I absolutely adore.
This evening as I was snuggling my little nephew, Taylor, and belting out tunes from "The Little Mermaid" with Ava, I was once again reminded of how lucky I am to have so much to lose. Love comes in many forms. It comes through a phone call from a dear old friend, it is heard through the cooing of a sweet newborn baby, it is witnessed through the random acts of service given to someone in need, it is felt in those slap happy moments with family, and it is read in a sweet love letter from your husband. These moments are what life is about. It is these small and simple acts of love and kindness that give us a reason to reflect on this day each year. There wouldn't be a need for Valentine's day without the 364 days in between.