1,698 Pictures and Video

 

 

On Halloween, I had this nagging feeling all day to download all the pictures and video on my phone.  As the day ended, I could not fall asleep, so I plugged my phone into my computer, and backed up all my pictures and video.  I had 1,698 photos on saved on my phone.  I don't have it in my heart to delete them.  This drives Andrew crazy!!! 

 

I use my phone to take all of my pictures and video.  It is always handy, so I can catch the sweet things my little ones do.  So many memories.  Brinlee's first dance recital, her first day of school, Emmett's birth, his first smile.  How could I delete them?

 

After my phone had been stolen by a funny one year old boy who is obsessed with technology and very slobbery, it started to not work so well.  I am so glad I listened that night because the next morning my phone was officially a goner.

 

I didn't realize what a big deal it was until I got my new phone, and later that evening I went to take a picture of Brinlee dancing in our kitchen while making dinner and the photo storage was empty.  I almost had a panic attack!  Then I remembered I had them safely stored away. 

 

I just feel that this time of my life is the best.  I love being a young mom, and I want to remember, and savor every moment, because it is going by so fast.  I also want my kids to see the cute little pictures of them taken when they were just babies.  They are so cute, and so fun.  I want Brinlee to be able to look back and know that she was always a happy girl, who loved to play, dance, and snuggle her brother.  I want Emmett to look back and know that he was always so funny, goofy, handsome, and messy!

 

 

I'm so glad that I have these.  Here are a few favorites, that could have been lost forever! 



Civil War Buff

One of the most beautiful places I have seen here in Arkansas is Pea Ridge Military park.  I knew that it would be a good place to take Grandma Bailey because of her love and knowledge of the Civil War. 

 

We had so much fun there.  It really was such a beautiful place.   



A couple of weirdos

 

As I was growing up, I noticed that I seemed to be a bit different from others...

Marched to my own drum perhaps? 

 

Things that were so funny to me, no one else laughed at....

There were always funny things to me.

 

My sense of humor is a bit different, maybe off. 

 

 

As I grew older and I started to date, I noticed that not everyone shared my sense of humor.  My idea of a good time, or a funny joke was not shared with them.

 

And then I found him..........

 

 

 

He gets me.  He always has.  I knew it from the moment I met him, interviewed him.  He laughed at all my dry sense of humer jokes.  As we began to date he listened to me.  He really listened to me.  I knew he was the one for me when my stomach constantly felt like I had the best abdominal workout from laughing so hard with him. 

I know that there is nothing that I could ever do to make him change his mind about loving me.  That is the best part of our relationship.  I know that he will love me no matter how I look, talk, or the mistakes I make.  He doesn't just tell me, he shows me.   

He is always up for an adventure.  He is always up for a party, hanging out, scrabble game competition, or Wii bowling tournament.  We always have a pretty good time.

One of the hardest things that I have ever had to do is live a year apart from this guy.  Although he wasn't with me in person, I never felt alone.  He was there for me everyday.  He made me feel just as loved, and he also made me laugh just as much.

I know that we might be a bit strange.  We tend to be shy in crowds.  We act immature at times.  We still have the "baby of the family" mentality.  But at the end of the day we are in love.  We have come so far in our marriage together.  We have learned how to work hard to accomplish your dreams and take care of your family.  We have learned how to communicate with one other. We have learned how to deal with stress and illness, and balance a budget.  We have learned how to love one another through our short comings...His: not being able to repair things around the house.  Mine: being a back seat driver.  His: not covering food when he puts it in he fridge.  Mine: Leaving my water bottles all over the house.

What I want my children to remember is this:  Love isn't perfect.  It doesn't matter how much money they make, or if they keep a perfect house, or have perfect grades.  All that matters is that you feel like you can be 100% yourself with them, and that they will love you always.  You need to feel nothing but love and support from them.  If you have that you can fix all the other stuff with time.  Sometimes lots of time....But in the eternal perspective those things are not important.



 

And to Andrew:  Thank you for being the best.  At times the worst....but I am grateful for those times when we are less then endearing to one another, because they have helped our marriage to grow.  Thanks for the good times.  Thanks for helping me forget the bad times...

 

Now hurry home from work so I can kick your trash in Scrabble!

Racing In The Ozarks

At the end of September, I ran in the Winslow Arkansas half marathong.  It was by far the hardest half I have ever ran.  HILLS!  All in all it was a great experience.  I am so thankful that I am able to still run.  It is a true passion of mine that I am planning on always doing.  I am grateful to Andrew for supporting me, and letting me go out to "practice running" as Brinlee calls it. 

 This is always my favorite part of any race.  When you cross the finish and see the people you love the most!

 Christy is my sweet running buddy, and I would have just ended it all at mile 11 if it wasn't for her.  It has been a blast training with her.  I can honestly say that my closest friends in life have been my running buddies.  You know who you are :)

I'm so glad Andrew's mom was up visiting us and was there at the finish line.  She has watched me do, and go through some pretty painful and  hard things!  Some I choose to put myself through (like marathons) and she may not understand why someone would want to spend a half of a day running up and down mountains for fun, but she has always supported me in everything that I do.  I am so grateful for her! 

Being active has saved me.  There is power in exercise!  Running has taught me to set goals and achieve them.  It has trained my body to keep going no matter how painful things are.  It has trained my mind to be a powerful tool that can change feelings from negative to positive.  It has also given me some nice calf muscles! 

Flying

 

I feel that one of my greatest accomplishments in life is successfully flying alone with my children.

 

It helps that I have really great kids.

 

Conference Weekend

 General Conference Happenings

 So hard to stay awake!!

 

 It was so cold!  Whats up Arkansas?

 

Lots of cuddle time

 

Favorite talks given by Apostles of the Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints

 

Here  Here  Here 

And

Here

 



Easter 2012

Rabbit Food:  You leave cookies for Santa right?  Same thing!  The Easter Bunny has to eat too!

 

It was Brinlee's idea.  So thoughtful of her!

 

 

 

 



 Babies First Easter

 It was so nice to celebrate Easter this year with daddy in person, not skyping!

 

 

The Eater Bunny was very kind to us this year :)

 

 

To remember the real reason for Easter go

 

 

Here

 

Happy Easter!