A much needed weekend!

The first weekend of March I got together with my mom, sisters(in-law) and oldest niece in the beautiful, green Davis, CA. My sister Vera owns a funeral home there and was nice enough to host our annual girls weekend there this year. And yes, her home is ABOVE the funeral home...don't worry, her clients stayed nice and quiet for us :). We all traveled (some by plane, some by car) Thursday and arrived that evening.

Friday we rode the Amtrak to San Fransisco and enjoyed shopping, eating, visiting, touring, eating, and sight-seeing. We started at Pier 39 and Fisherman's wharf, then went on a downtown San Fran tour which of course included a stop at China Town. We ate some delicious food and saw some amazing sights...including a sunset tour over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Saturday we went the Davis Farmers Market. We sampled fresh local fruits, veggies, nuts, desserts. etc. After the Farmers Market we walked around and looked around a few shops in Davis. I have fallen in love with that place and the fact that it's very quaint, small, and walkable! That afternoon we had a baby shower for my SIL Melissa, she's due with her first girl (after three adorable, rambunctious boys) in May. After that we went to Trader Joe's and World Market and I got my favorite treat ever...Candy Cane Joe-Joe's (basically an Oreo with candy cane bits in the filling). That night we went out for Thai food (YUM) and then spent the evening visiting and relaxing.

Sunday we all went home. It was such a wonderful weekend and I had a great time. It was definitely a much needed break for me. Here are a few of the pictures that I got.

Waiting at the Amtrak station

My sister Marie and I on the Amtrak



All of us the double-decker tour bus



I loved these...just had to take a picture of them :)


Playing games at the baby shower.

Busy, Busy, Busy

That word is what best describes life for us right now. Two little 19 month old munchkins running around everywhere really makes life BUSY.

Brooklyn is finally walking...she's still a little slow and wobbly, but she's getting better and better every day. Emmalyn is a little smarty pants and just amazed me with what she says and does every day, and of course anything she does Brooklyn has to at least try to do too (and she usually succeeds too). Both girls love to "help" with everything that we will let them help with, i.e. laundry, vacuuming, throwing away diapers, putting (some) things away, etc. They're both very talkative and expressive and are so fun to watch when they play together. Here are some pictures for ya...

"Helping" me vacuum.

Reading in the chair in their room together.

Our little monkeys!

They love to do "big girl" things...like eating their lunch in the big chairs, not the high chairs.

This was actually just taken tonight...I thought it's be fun to put bubbles in their bath, Emmalyn didn't agree. She screamed the entire time. Needless to say this was one of her shortest baths ever!

"Because I have been given much...

I too must give." (Hymn 219)

We sang this song at church today...twice. Well I sang it twice (once in Sacrament meeting and once in Relief Society) and it made me want to burst into tears both times. I have, in fact, been "given MUCH" and at times (like right now) I feel like I don't have much to give back. I always want to try to serve and help people, but with two (sometimes three) 18-month-olds, a rather small house, and few resources I feel like I'm not much help to anyone. It's not very easy for me to go to service projects because I usually have to bring the girls and then I spend more time chasing them around (and probably adding to the chaos) than I do actually being able to serve. I would love to be able to help people out more and watch there kids, but our house is so small that we really don't have much room for more than us. When people need help moving or doing home projects I feel like I just add to their burdens because, once again, I come with two little ones that are very curious, mischievous and get into everything. So there are days when I feel so useless when it comes to helping and serving others.

In one visit with my visiting teachers a few months ago we were actually talking about this very thing. One of the ladies has a very similar situation to mine; the other is a little older, has older kids, more experience, etc. She told me that right now I am serving my family and that it was I am called to do. When I do have chances that I actually can go and serve others than to embrace them and do them, but not to feel guilty when I feel like I can't. Because in all reality I'm serving in the most important place that I can be right now and that's inside my home, serving my kids, and serving my husband.

Sometimes I feel guilty that there is so much that I have been given and a lot of things I take for granted. The Lord has blessed me immensely. I have amazing parents who raised me and taught me very well, siblings that are great examples and are always there to give me advice and support me, a wonderful husband who loves me regardless of all my craziness, and two beautiful girls that bring so much love and joy into my life. I have "My glowing fire, my loaf of bread, my roof safe shelter over head" and so much more. This day came at the perfect time, when I needed this reminder of how much I DO have...not what I don't have, and I have two people to thank for all of this. They are my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn't have the family that I have, the life lessons, the strong testimony, the ability to make it from day to day if it wasn't for these two amazingly wonderful Heavenly Beings.

Between today and earlier this week (see previous post) I have been truly humbled. I have been touched by His spirit and I know that I am truly blessed and being watched over, especially in this difficult and trying time. It was made even more clear to me when we came home from my in-laws house to two boxes of diapers sitting on our back patio. We have so many angels in our lives, especially now as we are struggling, getting discouraged, and trying to lift each other up as we go day in and day out. I know angels are always around us, we just don't always recognize them. I don't know who left us diapers (twice now), gave us gift cards, or gave us money so we could give our girls a good Christmas, but I want the world to know how truly and eternally grateful I am to those that have done these things for us. I cannot wait for the day when I am in the position to be able to do these types of things for others. I cannot wait until I have the chance to "Pay it Forward". But I know that for now I must continue to humble myself and count my blessings and be grateful for what I do have and serve and give wherever I possibly can.

"Because I have been given much, I too must give.

Because of thy great bounty, Lord each day I live.

I shall divide my gifts from thee with every brother that I see,

who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed by thy good care…

I cannot see another’s lack and I not share-

my glowing fire, my loaf of bread-my roof’s safe shelter over head,

that he too may be comforted.

Because I have been blessed by thy great love dear Lord,

I’ll share thy love again according to thy word.

I shall give love to those in need. I’ll show that love by word and deed,

thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed."
(Hymn # 219)

A truly humbling experience

After a rough start to the week Jeff and I were able to go attend the temple, thanks to his mom and sister for watching the girls. We got to the temple and realized that the session we were about to join was an ASL (American Sign Language) session. Even while just sitting in the chapel it was amazing and fascinating to watch those that were deaf and their family/friends and the temple workers communicate with each other. They told us that the session would still have audio so that we could still go into that session if we wanted to. We decided to go for it.

Throughout the session all I could think of was how lucky I am to have the things that I have, and that I really need to stop and count my blessings. This was very humbling because I've kind of been having a bit of a pity party and been feeling down all day. It was amazing to watch all the efforts people took to make sure everyone was able to participate. It made me, once again, realize that the Lord provides for us no matter what our needs are. He will not give us anything that we can't handle and always provides a way to help us make it through.

This experience also opened my eyes to the fact that the Lord truly loves and cares for each of his children individually. The fact that just because someone is deaf, it doesn't mean they can't participate in and receive the ordinances of the temple. The Lord has provided a way for them to be able to receive the same blessings as the rest of us. There was older man in the session that had a real impression on me. He was not only deaf, he was blind too, but yet there he was participating in and receiving those wonderful blessings and being able to be in the Lord's presence.

I am truly humbled and touched from this experience. Just because we're going through a bit of a rough time right now, it's only temporary and the Lord is watching over us, taking care of us, and most definitely has NOT forsaken us.

A little catching up.

Things have been so crazy and busy around here. A few weeks ago I started watching two other kids (a 2-yr-old and a 4 month old) but it turned out to be a little more than I could handle, but at least I tried I guess. I also survived another birthday. It was a fun weekend, Jeff's brother and his wife and daughter (who is just two months older than our girls) came up for the weekend and we had a great time spending some time with them.

Jeff has been having lots of interviews and continues to submit multiple applications and resumes every day. He had a very promising second interview today and we're hoping for the best. It's been kind of nice having him home to help out with the girls. It's gonna be quite the adjustment when he's gone again, especially for the girls!

The girls have been learning in leaps and bounds! Emmalyn is a walking maniac and loves the fact that she can take toys from her sister and run away. Brooklyn is finally starting to show some interest in walking and will take 5-6 steps at a time, so Emmalyn better watch out! Both girls do a few signs (please, more, all done, food, etc.) and seem to be learning more and more words every day. Just yesterday Emmalyn (with my help and prompting) counted to 4, took me by total surprise! They continue to be very friendly to people, especially when out shopping. They love to wave and say hi and blow kisses. They are quite the little charmers. We're so excited for them to start going to nursery on Sundays :)

Well that's about all that's going on in our lives right now. The girls have their 18-month check up on Friday so I'll have to add in their currents stats then.

Beautiful girls

Our good friend Angela (IvoryLime Photography) was kind enough to take some cute pictures of the girls in their Christmas dresses. Emmalyn is in the red and Brooklyn is in the green. Thanks again Angela!!

Christmas 2010

This year we spent Christmas here in the Salt Lake are with Jeff's family. We went over Christmas Eve and helped his Grandma make Carmel creams...so yummy!! It's kind of a tradition for them and Jeff loves to help make (and eat) them.

Jeff and his mom pulling the Carmel's (his grandma is in the background)

Brooklyn getting into mischief in the kitchen...both girls love magnets!

Christmas morning was a little rough in the beginning. The girls woke up at 4:30 am and wouldn't go back to sleep. I stayed up with them for a couple of hours and then Jeff came and took over so I could go get some sleep. I got up just in time for a delicious big breakfast. Then we started opening presents...

The girls opening presents together.


Emmalyn loving on a the bear from Grandma.

The girls "big" present this year. They LOVE them :)

I know I'm a month late on this, but I hope everyone else had a wonderful holiday and is having a great New Year so far...I can't believe it's already almost February!!