The Blessing

Zach was blessed a few weeks ago. Justin did a great job and I am so grateful to have a husband who is a worthy priesthood holder. I am also grateful to have such wonderful support from family and friends. Thanks to everyone who made and brought food.

Ever since we brought Zach home from the hospital, I have felt more like a complete family. I remember the first time I asked Justin if he was going to watch the kids, it felt weird to say kids. It did not feel real at first and seemed strange to know that I have given birth to these little ones. I feel so blessed to have two beautiful children that Heavenly Father has entrusted us to raise. The cutest little boy in his first tux!

After the house was empty we took some pictures of our family. We finally got a cute picture with her smiling. The sad thing about that day was that I didn't take pictures when everyone was here. Something that I will remember is that Hailee was playing in the toilet. She came in the front room with wet sleeves, wet face and hair. So I found a cute outfit for her to wear, until she came out with wet sleeves again. The door kept getting left open. The adventures of a toddler, fun for her and a mess for us. It is crazy but I would not trade it for anything.

Halloween...A little Late

I have been meaning to get something posted on here for about a month now. If I don't sit and do it when I am thinking about it, it won't get done. I just had to update everyone on what we did for Halloween, we found a street close by to trick or treat on. I was nervous the whole time that someone would ask where we live. We were doing fine until the last house. It was so cute the lady sat on her porch to pick out candy for our toddler, and Hailee just went right up and sat next to her. I wish I could have taken a picture. So right after that the lady said, "Where do guys live?" I wanted to run away but Justin started pointing towards the east saying, "We live over there (long pause) in some Condos." It was very awkward and I was happy to walk straight to the car and drive home.


This was his costume and sweat pants that we put on him later because he didn't fit into his pea pod costume that we bought for him. Here is our lady bug who could barely sit still, she was a little excited. All she knew was that we were going outside to go on a walk. She loved seeing kids as we passed them. It was fun to watch her go on her first trick or treating adventure!

Picking Pumpkins

These are the pumpkins from Grandpa's Garden. All of the kids, big and little, get to pick which one they want. We ended up with three pumpkins and we carved two last night. Justin's pumpkin has dread locks, but no nose. My pumpkin is a skeleton, I think. Justin cleaned his and carved it all within a half an hour. My pumpkin took longer, like two hours. First because I am a perfectionist. Second because I had to stop and feed the baby twice. It was fun!

Halloween and Big Boy

If you want to see a cute picture of Hailee in her Halloween costume from last year, go to wallinphotography.blogspot.com. She was a purple butterfly and I don't think she smiled at all that day. This year she is going to be a lady bug. Zach is going to be a pea pod. I had Justin try on his costume. So he cut the tags off right before and he could barely get Zach into the costume. I left the tags on it on purpose, so we could take it back if needed. So he might not be in it for very long, he is a big boy. We don't have pictures yet, I hope to take some this week.

I wonder: Do kids go trick or treating these days? The past two years while living here, we have gone to my mom's house on Halloween. I don't know what we are going to do this year. We could go to the mall, Trunk or Treat, or walk around the condos. We have even considered going to a random neighborhood. What would you do?

Zachary is two months old now. He is half the size of Hailee, weighing 13 lbs 8 oz. He has only grown 3 inches since he was born, he is 23 inches long. He is so chubby and very cute! I will have to wash the 6 month clothes, he fits the weight requirements.

Miss You, Grandma

Today was my Grandma's birthday. She would have turned 88 years old today. We didn't celebrate the day she was born or call her on the phone. I didn't hug her or feel her sweet kiss on my cheek. I didn't see that loving look in her eyes. I didn't hear the stories she told so many times before. I didn't see her wrinkled hands that have experienced so much. I didn't tell her how cool I thought she was or how much I loved her. I didn't know she was in so much pain. I didn't know when we met again I would kiss her cheek for the last time. I didn't realize how short this life is until that Halloween night one year ago.

Now her test is done, as she watches from above. I keep her loving example in my mind and always remember her devotion to the Gospel. I never will forget the wonderful grandmother who always had a smile on her face and how I felt so loved. Most of all, I will always cherish the last conversation we shared only one month before her body was laid to rest.