Eight Years

Happy anniversary yesterday to my sweetheart Dave! We celebrated being married for eight years. We had a very low key day. Just had a lazy (well deserved) Saturday around the house. Dave took Conni grocery shopping while I went to the Relief Society meeting. Then yesterday afternoon we went to dinner at Red Robin. We used to go there all the time when we were dating. Then we went to see "Letters to Juliet". It is so cute! Very fun. One of the reasons I fell in love with Dave in the first place is that he never complained about going to see chick flicks.

Once we got Conni home and in bed we turned on "Momma Mia". I sang along with my favorite Abba song "Dancing Queen" and Dave just laughed.

I am so lucky to have such a wonderful man for my husband. He loves me in spite of my flaws. He is a wonderful dad and is so supportive of me and encourages me in all I do. He puts up with my projects and endeavors. I love him and I am grateful for our last eight years. I look forward to our many adventures in the years to come!

Funny Faces

Decorating

This was too cute not to post, even though it was a while ago. I like to put up window clings to decorate for the holidays when I can find them. Conni has started to take an interest in it too. When we put up the Easter decorations, I would peel them off the sheet and Conni put them on the front door. It was a ton of fun. Dave took pics to document for me. While they were up, Conni would go over and rearrange them.

I loved to decorate for the holidays with my mom and sisters growing up, so I am really excited!!

Homemade Playdough

I made some playdough today. Conni had a blast once she figured out how to play with it. Here's a couple of cute videos.

Talking to the Ducks

We went to Gardner Village and wandered around a bit. Conni loved seeing the ducks and had to talk to them.

Eating an Apple

New Siding

We got new siding on our house! Here are the promised before and after photos. We also replaced the big window in the kitchen with a sliding door to the back yard. We are so excited! Dave is in the process of building a deck and stairs for us. Conni keeps trying to use the door to get outside, so we are looking forward to a fun summer with lots of time outside.

Pudding Finger Painting

Mother's Day Post - a little belated

Ok, so a lot belated. I really wanted to post this for Mother's Day and the time just got away from me. Oh well - better late than never, right?

This year, I wanted to recognize the other mothers in my life besides my own mom.

My sister in law Michelle has the greatest capacity to love that I think I have ever seen. She is not blessed to have her three boys on earth with her right now, but she is still an amazing aunt to all her nieces and nephews. She spoils them rotten, and makes a point to play with each one whenever she sees them. She is one of the first ones to get new babies to smile and giggle. She has lots of patience with the kids too. She is very willing to help babysit and she is always offering to take the kids overnight. She is the first one I left Conni with overnight. I am impressed that even though she is going thru her trials, she is still happy and loves these kids. She is a great resource for all things baby. She amazes me.

My big sister Sarah has always been my second mom. She has always been there. From doing my hair when I was little to offering parenting advice when I need help and everywhere in between. She has raised her three boys to be the big brothers Conni needs. Even though she is the busiest person I know, she is there to help me when I need it. She has shown me how important it is to keep your family as your #1 priority, but to still get everything done that needs to get done.

My little sister Steph is the fun one. She knows how to make a game out of nothing and make almost anything in to a toy. She is the one who reminded me how to get down and play with Conni and to make a fool of myself just to get her to laugh. She has a ton of energy and is the aunt that rough houses.

My mother in law Mary is great to talk with. She is another great resource to figure out how to teach Conni gospel principles and keep the spirit in my home. She is always trying to find ways to "reduce and simplify" - which we all need in this life! She sets a great example of service and the importance of family.

My sister in law Jessica has an almost 9 year old and a 3 year old. She has shown me how to deal with different family dynamics and still raise your kids. She works hard and has helped her youngest son thru some very scary health issues. She has been a great example of faith.

My sister in law Melanie has taught me how to deal with trials and adversities and keep life going. Her oldest daughter has a genetic disorder that has affected her physical and mental development. I have watched Mel learn a new way to communicate and to be a physical and speech therapist and everything else that goes with it. She has shown me great determination, and the word "impossible" is not in her vocabulary.

My sister in law Melinda is very easy going. Parenting is hard, and yet she is able to deal with the ups and downs and stay (relatively) calm. :) She has shown me that sometimes life is tough, but you do what is necessary and just keep going and you can be happy anyway.

My friend Renee has four wonderful boys. They are very varied in their personalities. She has been a resource since before I was pregnant and continues to be. She has helped me realize that every mom makes mistakes and its good for your kids to help you realize them and learn - and that thru that you are teaching your kids that its ok if they make mistakes and learn from them. (If that even makes sense :) She knows how to have fun and teach and play. She is a great example of love too.

Then of course I must recognize my mom. But how do I put it in words? She is simply amazing. She has always sacrificed her wants for ours, and she continues to do so now. She is literally helping to raise my daughter and I wouldn't want anyone else to do it. She is there for every day. Its weird if I don't talk to her on a daily basis. I love that she is right around the corner for me and is in the same ward. I just feels natural. I am so grateful for her testimony and her example to me to help me thru all the crazy things life throws at us.

I am grateful to have such wonderful moms in my life. I know there are more out there - please don't feel forgotten. Being a mom is a wonderful rollercoaster and I am so happy to have such great examples and friends.

Playing doll house

Conni asked me to play with her with her doll house yesterday afternoon. We hadn't played for a while, and last time all Conni wanted to do was push the buttons that made noise.

So we got it out and found the mom, the dad, and the baby. Conni set the baby up in the high chair. Then I asked if mom and dad were going to eat dinner with the baby. Conni set the parents up in their chairs, and I helped her get the table in place. Then I asked if the baby needed a bath. Conni promptly put the baby in the bath and pushed the button for the sound effects. I asked her where the mom should be - she put her doing laundry and then answering the phone. Then I asked where the dad should be. She put him on the toilet. (Note - Dave isn't always in the bathroom. But as a joke, when we first got the doll house, that's where I would always put the dad to tease Dave. Ooops :)

I was so excited to see her grasp this role playing concept. She also plays dolls better at my mom's house with her FP Panda that makes noises. (So cute too!) Now I just have to remember how to play dollies, and we will be having so much fun. I can't wait to break out the My Little Ponies to show her how to braid hair and do that too. I love having a little girl!

Visions of things to come

The last several nights when its time for Conni to go to bed, after story time, scriptures, and prayers, Conni asks to cuddle with Mom. This entails having Dad start her music and turn out the lights while laying in Mommi's arms in our rocker. Conni will give Dad kisses and then wave bye, then cuddle in with Mom.

Last night, Conni couldn't get comfortable in my arms. After ten minutes of her kicking and squirming trying to get comfortable, I asked if she wanted to lay in bed. She said yes, but that she wanted me to as well. Well, how do you say no to that? So I got her settled and climbed in next to her. She snuggled up for a bit, but after a few minutes, she wanted to tickle me. So she tickled me, and I tickled her, and then I told her in my sternest voice "Shh - we are supposed to be sleeping." Granted, I was fighting giggles the whole time. So Conni closed her eyes and made her snoring sound. Then she started tickling me again. We were laughing so hard. I thought for sure Dave was going to come in and tell us to be quiet.

After a few minutes, realizing she was just getting riled up and not snuggling down for sleep, I got up and kissed her good night. The whole time though, I was thinking about as she gets older and us staying up laughing and being silly. I am looking forward to that and the memories we will create and the good times we will share. I worry sometimes that I won't be the kind of mom she will want to talk to and share stuff with, but nights like this help encourage me that I am doing something right.

And I am warning Dave now - when we get silly he will be in for a "treat"! :)

Yes, I'm still here...

Hi everyone. I know I said I would get stuff up and I haven't. I forget how little time I get on the computer as Conni gets older. I am excited that she is almost old enough to understand she can't slam away on my netbook, but she loves computers so much right now that she gets upset if she doesn't get a turn. But we are getting there.

There has been a lot going on since my last posts. The new job for Dave did not turn out to be what was expected. He did not like what he was doing. When he left the old job, they had said if the new job didn't work out to call them. Well, lucky for us, the old job took him back. So there's been a lot of change there and resettling. But we were able to resolve the late night issues and some other things, so hopefully this is for the best. We are very grateful that Dave didn't have to go without work, and that we have been blessed to be able to work all this out.

We had great easter celebrations with my family - there are pics and videos to post someday too. I love having family so close by and how many fun traditions we have. I love watching Conni with her cousins - how they all call her "Conni Mae" and look out for her. She has such great friends in them too.

I had a great birthday. As I posted, Dave got me a beautiful emerald ring. Then we went to the temple and out to dinner. Thanks to Mary for watching Conni so we could go! Conni was extra lovey on my birthday too, giving me lots of extra hugs and kisses and was such a good girl.

This week we are busy getting new siding on our house. Pics will come too of course. We were blessed to get a great deal to be able to improve our home. With this we also got a sliding glass door installed in the kitchen where the window used to be. Dave will be building a deck/stairs for us too. This will be such a fun addition since Conni loves being in the backyard so much.

We are keeping very busy with our callings and our little girl. She is growing up so fast. I can't believe she will be two in a matter of months. She is working on her vocabulary each day, and I love watching her skill set grow. Its so fun to see her little mind figure things out and recognize the routines and rules we have around our house. For example, if I don't put my shoes in my room, when Conni finds them she cheers and takes them to my room for me. She takes her bottle to the kitchen sink (which she is tall enough to drop stuff in!) when she is finished with it. She is working on dressing and undressing herself and knows to put her dirty clothes in the hamper. When I come in after nap time if she takes off her socks she puts them in the drawer. All those types of little things.

Anyway. I ramble on. Know that we have lots going on and I want to share it all with you. The time just gets away from me before I can get the pics and videos posted. But I will get them up! I have to have record of stuff so when I finally get around to scrapbooking it I remember what happened! :)