ordinary days

Today is an ordinary day.

But sitting here thinking about my ordinary days I'm realizing how truly extraordinary they are.

I love waking up and feeling the sun on my pillow,

having my husband next to me

and hearing our little boy just babble away in his crib.

I love my Grandma's jam on toast.

I love my little apartment:

how cozy it feels with the colder days coming,

and the yummy smelling pumpkin candle burning.

I love phone calls from friends just to talk and laugh together.

I love playing catch with Trey,

and then watching his little fingers turn the pages of a book as I cook dinner.

I loved seeing this on a little, tiny, black and white monitor.

I would be just fine, if all my days were ordinary.

thank-you

I love these words.

I think there are few greater things then a truly heart-felt thank-you. 

This past weekend we were surrounded by friends and family. We went to my sister's {and her new husband's} wedding! Went to birthday parties and thanksgiving dinners! It was wonderful! 

As the weekend past my mind was filled with the "lists" of things I am grateful for- love of family, the gospel, our health, education, safety, smiles and laughter, our apartment....I could literally go on, and on, and on...

But as I reflected on all of these things, I realized what I was most grateful for was the feeling of a grateful heart. For the joy that gratitude gives me and how it helps me have an eternal perspective each day.

A scripture that has been in my thoughts a lot lately is Alma 26:37 , "Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen."

It is in those moments, when I am filled with gratitude that I feel closest to Heaven. I am so thankful for those moments, and each moment in my life.

big baby, turned little boy

Trey is one.

Thinking back to one year ago I was not ready for how much we would love our little boy. Watching him learn and grow has been the most rewarding, wonderful experience of my life and I am so glad I have been able to be there every. single. day. Thinking back to when it was "just the two of us" seems so strange now. People ask me if I every miss just being able to go out and do whatever, whenever we want? I guess maybe we do- are we supposed to? I don't feel like I gave up freedom to have a child, it's more like now, wherever we are, everything becomes a new adventure. It's nice to stop and play with a leaf or watch a train go by. Simply stated- I like it more then being able to "go out". This talk from conference describes perfectly how I feel- I am so grateful to be a mother.

"Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps.

 It's not something you do if you can squeeze the time in,

it is what God gave you time for."

Trey we love you so much! Thank-you for being the sunshine in our lives!

{now for the 'baby book' part}
-24 lbs
-9 teeth (including a new molar!)
-waves bye bye
-loves to play outside and in water
-dances
-loves animals
-claps
-loves "Sesame Street"
-"sings" in church
-loves to crawl holding something in each hand
-stands on his own
-plays telephone
-loves to eat anything
-smiles for the camera...cheeeese
-is the best. sleeper. ever!
-holds his own sippy cup
-climbs stairs
-loves to play with anything with wheels and balls
-"says" momma, dada, truck, cup, buh bye, yes :)

marriage advice

my sister is getting married this weekend (YAY!) and we came across this song.

hilarious.

that's all I have to say.