One Year Already...

We have been homeowners for a year. I can't believe we have lived here for a year. It feels like just yesterday that we were both working in Logan, wondering how long we would live there. I suppose that its a good thing to be somewhere for a year and not realize how long it has been.
It is a good thing!

We have really enjoyed living here and we feel blessed to have such great family and friends!

What a Day!

The 24th was a fun day but also very interesting. We had fun playing at home and taking pictures together waiting for daddy to get done with work. Really I thought Hailee was being so happy and cute. Those are the best times to take pictures, which is usually after she has a nap.












We also had fun showing Grandma and Grandpa all of her new tricks. I think Hailee loves to be the center of attention, especially when Grandma comes. Her bib pretty much explains it all, spoiled by Grandma.









We went to dinner at a restaurant that we have only been to one other time. The first time we had good service and the food was amazing, Justin has been talking about it ever since. This time was a little different. We didn't have to wait very long to get seated but when we decided what we wanted to eat the waitress had a trainee come take our order. I felt bad for the trainee because it was her first day and I am not complaining because I was grateful to get out of the house.

Let's just say, we left here for dinner at 6:30pm by the time we got home it was bedtime, and that is the only place we went. We didn't even watch any fireworks that night.

Here is my Leg

I just thought it would be fun to take some pictures the other day. So I put Hailee on the couch. When I set her up there this how she wanted to sit. She just wanted her leg in the air and I don't really know why.




My little girl seemed older that day.

8 months old

I kept telling Justin this past week how I can't believe that in four months we will have a one year old. There are some days when I still can't even believe that we have a child.
Our little one just got a high chair, which she loves. Some of her favorite things to do right now are scary to me. For example, when Hailee gets really excited or when she is laughing, it sounds like she isn't breathing for a second or two. Now that she is rolling and trying to crawl, sometimes I see her digging her face into the floor. These are just a few times that she has scared me.
Also, she has recently been bouncing when she is excited. I have noticed that when she hears music, she will do this also.

Life is Like the Zoo

We had a fun time driving up to Logan. We went to a few places that sounded fun. We thought that Hailee would like the Zoo and we were right. Although, I think she liked being outside more than looking at the animals. We had fun until it got so hot that we all wanted a nap. We didn't stay too long at the zoo. We walked in the shade and at the end of the sidewalk there was a cage with two bobcats. I am pretty sure that the female was in the front because she was the smaller of the two. They were both sleeping, the male was up on this rock, then he decided that the female looked comfortable. So he made his way on over and plopped down next to her. He woke her up because he had to lay almost on top of her. I noticed that she was pushing him away with her paw, but he didn't move. When I saw this I thought, "Men!", Always waking us up right when we get things just the way we like it." I can't count how many times Justin has come in the room right when I am about to drift off to sleep. After he says goodnight, I can't sleep for at least an hour. Its not fair he is off in dream land in two minutes. I have to figure out how he does that.
It was just so adorable to see Justin try and show her the animals. We decided that we can bring her back one day when she gets older.

Happy Birthday, Kaden!

I just had to say Happy Birthday to one of my crazy nephews. I only have three but he is the oldest. I am a little late and I went to his party on Monday which is always a full house. I even brought my camera but I forgot the memory card. Sadly, I don't have pictures from that day. I did get a great picture of him at the softball game, though. Kaden was very happy to tell everyone that he is now seven.

I am Enough!

A few weeks ago or so I had an "Ah Ha" moment. You know like Oprah is always talking about (for those who watch Oprah), but I know it was from a much greater source. Here is why I felt like I should share this story. A Long Time Ago, in a far off place... well its not too far from here. There was a lonely and fair maiden, alright I will get on with the story. I had just moved home after attending the fabulous Snow College for two years. I was young and I had to decide what I was going to do with my life. It was for real now, I had procrastinated this day as long as I could. As some of you may not know, when I get overwhelmed with how much I need to do, I stress. I tend to sink into a slight depression, often with thoughts that I am not good enough. I still had no clue what to do with my life at that moment.

I found a job shortly after the move home and I started going to a student ward with friends. It was a great ward and I had this awesome experience with the Relief Society President of that ward. I know that the Lord had a hand in leading me to her. I was talking with her one time about guys and my desire to marry, but I didn't feel like it would happen. What she said next was so powerful, she simply said, "Amanda, You are Enough!" That was one of the kindest things I have been told by someone who barely knew me. I could see in her eyes that she truly felt this way, and soon after she gave a lesson in relief society on that simple, yet so powerful statement.
I don't know if she knows the impact that conversation has had on my life.

So a few weeks ago, I came to this realization once again. I think that sometimes as a mother I get overwhelmed and stress that I can't do this and I feel like life is too much. So I did what I have been struggling to do lately, I went to the lord. It was that simple but it was like I had a blind fold on and all I had to do was take it off. All of a sudden I knew that the Lord was there and he loves me. I felt like I could do anything because of my faith in him. Once again I felt like I was enough! I hope that I never forget especially as a mother and woman that I can do what ever is needed of me as long as I have faith in the Lord. I also hope I never lose sight of the role I have in bringing about this great work.

The Fourth of July

I realized as I get older and am now married with a baby, that I can't do as much as I used to. Most days I am happy if we make it out the door on time. I miss being a kid! Those where the days, brothers to carry me around every where and candy from Grandma's among other great things. I remember asking my mom right when the sun went down, if it was dark enough to start the fireworks. I would get so excited to watch the small box of fireworks that we bought at the store. If it rained at all that day I would get sad at the thought of not being able to play with sparklers. It was awesome because it was okay to stay up late.
This year, we went to Nephi to visit family which was so fun because we don't get down there as much as we would like too. Let me tell you it was nice to sleep in, while my wonderful mother-in-law took Hailee. They had a whole day before we got upstairs and had breakfast, including a bath. It was so nice, and we really appreciated the break!
We had good food and played Volleyball until it was so dark that we couldn't see anymore. We thought they were going to start the big Fireworks, it was way fun! I think that Nephi must have something in the water. The locals make some dang good food. Yes, my friend there is much more than Wendy's and some Gas Station's on the way to Vegas. So next time you are driving past try taking the first exit for some excitement, instead of the second one that most people take.
This was Karlie letting Hailee play with her bracelet. It was so cute! Taylor and Karlie had fun with their cousin. I love to see there blond hair and blue eyes next to Hailee.

My Cousin's Wedding

A Little Piece of Happy

We wanted to share this video of Hailee laughing because it will totally make your day. If it doesn't then you are empty inside. I got that phrase from an episode of Friends, I am not sure which one.
If you are dying to know which episode then leave a comment and I will try to find out.

She did it!

I feel like I am constantly playing catch up with cleaning, laundry, and this blog. I used to think that I didn't have much to put on here but I have realized that things happen all the time. I guess I didn't see that everyday life can be very interesting.

Last week, Hailee did it, she sat up all by her self! I should say that I put her on the bed and she sat there for over 10 seconds by herself. I had the pillows there so she wouldn't fall off. I set her on the ground and she did just fine. She is a little wobbly sometimes but she has been doing great! She had a few bangs on the floor from falling backwards. I think its all thanks to the pink Bumbo, we borrowed from Kim. You can see the bumbo in her seven month post. Hailee is sitting and rolling over but hasn't figured out how to go forward yet. Today she was sitting up and I turned around to grab her bottle and she was on her stomach, it was exciting!

I think it is time to baby proof the house.