Crafts

I don't know about you, but one of my favorite things about blogging is coming across fun craft blogs.  I normally find them through link's on other people's blogs.  So I thought, I should do that!  You'll find a list on the right side of my blog near the bottom titled: sites I adore.  If I don't have one there that you yourself adore, leave a comment so I can find it too!  Thanks a million!

Happy 2nd B-day Roo!

We enjoyed Mara's birthday by celebrating for three days straight!  It all started off with a party at Chuck-E-Cheese on Thursday.  My aunt Marcie was bummed she would be missing Mara's party (for the second year in a row) so she decided to take her to Chuck-E Cheese!  It was a BLAST!  I'm pretty sure she thought she had died and gone to heaven.  There were lots of cars to drive, and pizza.  Two of her most favorite things ever.  Of course we didn't have any cameras with us, but we did get some with our camera phones. 

The next day was Mara's actual birthday.  My mom happened to be off work that day so Brett, Brooke, Zac, and my mom went to Carl's Jr. for lunch so Mara could play around in the toys.  I had no idea that they were such big toys!  Luckily her awesome uncle Zac helped her find her way around the gym by climbing up there with her!  SO CUTE!

Saturday we had her birthday party.  Thanks to everyone who came!  It was so fun.  Mara just wanted to play with all the presents as she opened them.  She didn't get that there were more.  It was pretty funny.

That was how I found Mara later in the evening.  She NEVER does that.  I guess that meant that she had a blast!  It just tuckered her right out.  I think Grandpa enjoyed the snuggle time.

Visiting Teaching

Please tell me I'm not the only one that struggles with this?  I mean, I totally understand the purpose and respect it--even enjoy it.  But for some reason I dread going.  That sounds bad, and if anyone I visit teach reads our blog I apologize.  I was trying to figure out why today (since I went, and enjoyed myself) and I came up with the reason: I'm the most socially awkward person I know.  I stress about how I sit, how I talk, where I put my hands, did I touch my face too much?  Did I say something stupid?...etc.  I feel like a lot of times I come off as very snotty and rude because even though I'm being "shy" I still express my opinions.  Does that make sense?   I know, how silly.  I try and try, but I can't help myself.  I feel good after I've gone, it's the before thing that freaks me out and of course while I am there. 

I don't ever stutter.  I can say words and form sentences like an adult.  With the exception of while I am visiting teaching.  Acutally now that I think about it, it is basically during any church function.  Sunday meetings,  meetings for my calling, visiting teaching...you name it.  I turn into this weirdo that can't speak.  I even get nervous while I'm at church that I'm holding my own baby wrong or awkwardly. 

Sean thinks I'm nuts, and I'm starting to think that I just might be.  :)  Am I the only one who feels like that?  I have a testimony.  I know the gospel is true.  I know we have prophets on earth today to lead and guide us.  I know the scriptures are the word of God.  I know that being active in our callings will bless us and others.  I know that Heavenly Father loves me.  So why do I get all weird at church functions?  I honestly think it is just the social aspect of it. 

I've always kind of been that way with any large gathering.  Luckily I have only been in two wards (that I actually remember) my entire life.  Until now.  So it is really my "first" time getting to know people, learning names, making friends and such.  Maybe that's why it is so apparent now.  Anyways, if any of you have suggestions or words of encouragment I would very much appreciate them!!! 

One of the hardest parts about visiting teaching is when I have to give the lesson.  After seeing a friend's blog I was inspired to make up a cute thingy with a quote from this months lesson.  It actually helped me feel more confident about the lesson part.  Here it is:

  Well, maybe now that I've processed these thoughts things will get easier?...one can hope!

What keeps me up at night?

No, not Logan.

Nope, not Mara.

Occasionaly Sean's snoring, but that's not what I'm talking about here.

Digital Scrapbooking! 

I am in love.

Obsessed.

Sleep Deprived.

Oh, but I love it!

Especially since I have some pretty cute subjects to work with!

I'm pretty sure if I were to get a grade on my housework last month, it would be an F-.  No, seriously.  Sure, somedays my house was clean and a gourmet feast was on the table...sadly this was not the norm.  Poor Sean.  Poor kids.  I'll do better this month I promise. 

Winter Blues

I love the winter.  Really.  I figure if I live in Utah I better like it, and if I don't I better learn to like it or my life is going to be miserable.  I made that decision a long time ago.  I have learned to really enjoy the snow and cold.  It means I get to snuggle, drink hot chocolate, not get scared at night walking from my car to my front door because the sky is white (I know I'm not the only one...right?), watch Mara play in the snow, and overall just enjoy a change of pace.

However, this winter has really gotten to me.  I try so hard to like it, but I just can't.  I say all of those things in my mind that have made so much sense before, but this year it's just not working for me!  I am so tired of being cold.  I am so tired of sitting inside.  I am so tired of the ugliness I'm surrounded by.

The other day I finally figured out why it's been bad this year.  There hasn't been any snow!  I think we've only had to shovel our walkway about three times.  If it's going to be cold, there better be a reason!  That reason for me is snow.  Cold+wet+nosnow=depressedBrittani.

I'm glad it's almost March.  Even though I know there's a chance we could get a blizzard in June, I feel like the end is almost near!  I just wish I would've found my cure for the winter blues a little sooner.  Do you want to know what it is?  I went tanning today for the first time in years (okay, I'm not sure it's been years but it has been an incredibly long time).  The most amazing thing happened while I was there.  I still haven't quite figured out what it was, but whatever it was worked!  Feeling the "sun" made me burst out of the winter blues.  My skin feels absolutely fantastic having seen the "sun", and I feel SO good!!!!  So I recommend that anyone out there suffering from the terrible winter blues try it!  I promise it will make a world of a difference!

Can you believe it?

Wow, is it already that time again?

 

I cannot believe she is almost 2 already!  Wait a second...if I think about it I can believe it.  Want to hear what she can do?

     *Go "pee pee in the big girl potty" She asks to all the time, and goes.  We can normally put her diaper back on because it is completely dry!  We will be officially training her this Saturday so wish us luck!

    *She can basically let us know exactly what she wants using full sentences.  It blows my mind everytime still.  Can I just say how nice it is that she can finally tell us what she wants, or what hurts!  It makes life about a bazillion times easier! 

    *She takes such good care of her little brother.  He already loves her so much!  In fact, Mara can get him rolling laughing better than anyone else.  It is beyond cute.  If he starts crying, so goes running screaming: "binki!"  Locates the bink, and gets him plugged pronto. 

    *She follows directions well.  It is so nice to say, "Mara go get a diaper and wipes" and off she runs upstairs only to return with the items! 

    *She is definitely an independent little thing.  Wants to do everything by herself.  My favorite is watching her put on her shoes on the wrong feet.  So I'll tell her they're on the wrong feet, she says, "oops!  Wrong feet." and promptly changes them.

    *She has some major personality!  I love it (well most of the time).  Today she asked me to put on her tu-tu, so I did.  She grabbed her purse, gave me a kiss goodbye and said, "bye mom.  Lover (her version of I love you).  Shoppin!"  Then went to the front door and tried to open it.  I about died!  Thankfully she still hasn't figured out how to open up a door.  Knock on wood it stays like that for a while.  I'm quite enjoying it.

   *Speaking of shopping, it is her favorite activity.  Almost every morning she wakes up and asks me if we get to go shopping.  Which is hilarious, because I am in no way a big shopper.  I think it's mostly because she just likes to get out of the house. 

She is so much fun.  She is still definitely a daddy's girl.  We are so grateful to have her in our lives!  Love you Roo!