Happy Birthday, Gracie!!!

Two years ago I welcomed this sweet little girl into the world.

It felt like eternity as we waited for her and wondered if she would ever come. Then I spent the entire day of September 29, 2006 bringing her here. At 10:14 she finally came! It was an amazing moment; that first time I saw her. Her tiny head. Her little hands. Everything about her was perfect.

I tried really hard to keep her tiny. I begged her not to grow-up. Every day I asked her to stay small and cuddly. She didn't listen. She just kept growing. Every day she got a little bigger. A little more independent. A little more of a little girl and a little less of a tiny baby.

I loved to see each new skill; each new development. I cheered her on when she began to roll over. To scoot. To crawl. To walk. To talk. I didn't want her to do any of these things. I wanted her to stay a baby. And yet, I was so proud of her every time she accomplished something new.

Then before I knew it she was one. And sweet and sassy and funny. She had us laughing all the time. Sometimes she would still cuddle with me, but she was becoming more and more independent.

She kept growing. Still sweet. Still sassy. Still funny. She loved to swing and play outside. She loved to be a big girl and do everything that her sisters did.

Now she is two! She's been acting two for a long time now. But at 10:14 it will be official. She is too little for my birthday interview, so I will tell you her favorite things based on my observations:

Favorite Foods: Raviolis and Lasagna

Favorite Toys: Baby dolls

Puppies

Pooh Bear

Favorite Show: My Friends Tigger and Pooh

Favorite Book: The Napping House

Favorite Activities: Playing outside on her swing set

"Beep Beep"

Throwing her diaper away

Taking kids to school

Watching a show (especially in the middle of the night)

Playing with mom's make-up

Dislikes: Not getting her way

Favorite Snack: Fruit Leather

BFFs: Emy, Siah, Cole and Noah!

P.S. For those of you hoping for a trip report... Sorry, I had to do this first. Check back later.

Pixie Dust

We're sprinkling the Pixie dust and preparing ourselves to fly off to the magical world of Disney!

Secret Time

Today I spent the entire day with my girlfriends at Time Out for Women in Logan. It was such a good day! Besides the obvious... change of scenery, no kids, day with friends etc; the conference was really good. Part concert, part conference. A perfect balance of music and words meant to uplift your soul and help you find joy.
I have often been envious of Peter. When walking on the sea towards the Savior in the midst of storm he became afraid and began to sink. Then "he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him..." (Matt. 14:30-31). I am not envious of his ability to walk on water. Or even his nearness to the Christ. I am envious of the swiftness in which the Savior pulled him up. I often feel like I drowned in my depression. That I am sinking under the waves; falling in to the storm that surrounds me. And I always wish for that instantaneous lift. The saving hand. But I never seem to find it. At least not immediately.

I have felt this way for a long time. Until today. Today Kenneth Cope was preforming a song of his entitled "Tell Me" (you can listen to it here:http://www.myspace.com/kennethcopeofficial) and my mind began to connect the dots.........
The day I spent the afternoon crying and posted my terribly sad post was the beginning of my latest challenge......
The next day in my inbox I found a note from my visiting teacher that referenced a video of Kenneth Cope's song "Broken".......
A few days later at the Stake Temple day, my friend extends me an invitation to join her at Time Out for Women......
While at the event, Kenneth Cope performs "Broken"......
During the question and answer session, he references my most dreaded scripture: 2 Nephi 2:25 "...men are that they might have joy". But instead of leaving it at that, he reads the verses that precede it. The verses that put this in context. Reminding me that I can only ever feel joy because I know misery. He continues to remind us that our lives are broken and things won't be fixed until the Savior comes. God knows this and will work with us where ever we are......
Later, Kenneth Cope tells us something that we always tell our Primary children, "God loves you so much". And then he sang the song......
The spirit whispered to me that I no longer needed to be envious of Peter for Christ has given me the same gift. Immediately, once I felt miserable His hand shot out to pull me up. It came through my Visiting Teacher keeping my head above the water long enough to grab the life vest thrown to me by my dear friend. And then through inspired words and music that were designed to uplift and support me. The scriptures tell us that when Christ and Peter "were come into the ship, the wind ceased" (Matt. 14:32). But what they don't tell us here is how long Peter stood amidst the storm with the Savior beside him. Perhaps I stand in my storm longer than I would like, but His hand to support me through it all has always been instant.

When the Cat's Away....

Isn't that how it goes? When the cat's away the mice will play? Well this week, both Steve and Randy were out of town at the same time. Throw in the fact that the children are off track and you have the makings of an exciting sleepover!

Of course, Gracie needed a midnight snack!

Jaqui and I spent the night talking about books and music. And then my super cool niece informed us that we were lame! Yeah, we're lame just like her and her friend Mandy! Yes!! I had been hoping to be like a lame teenager again!

Eventually, everyone fell asleep:

The girls are off track now and we still have 13 days til Disneyland!!! To get in the spirit (because we hardly ever think of Disneyland) I had the girls take the Princess quiz. Here are the results.

Emily: Which Disney Princess Are You?
	You are Cinderella. You are hard-working and never complain, however, your trust is sometimes misplaced and people sometimes take advantage of you. Still, you are beautiful inside and out, and one day you will realize it and find true love.
Find Your Character @
Sariah: Which Disney Princess Are You?
	You are part Belle. You are strong, deep, and you are not a slave to petty superficial things. You are independent and allow yourself to see inner beauty without sacrificing your values. You are almost too good of a person.
	You are part Pocahontas. You defy convention and sometimes do what is considered taboo. Unfortunately, others do not always appreciate your differences, so it's good that you are so strong-willed. You are loyal and you believe in fate. Your true love will find you one day.
Find Your Character @
Nicole: Which Disney Princess Are You?
	You are Ariel. You are beautiful but impaired. At times you are naive. Still, your innocence and good heart make you sought after and loved.
Find Your Character @ Gracie: Which Disney Princess Are You?
	You are part Jasmine. You are loyal and would visit the ends of the earth for what you believe. You would never let obstacles stand in the way of true love.
	You are part Pocahontas. You defy convention and sometimes do what is considered taboo. Unfortunately, others do not always appreciate your differences, so it's good that you are so strong-willed. You are loyal and you believe in fate. Your true love will find you one day.
Find Your Character @ Ummm... I took this for her so I wonder if that has anything to do with it!

I'm a Follower (Shh! That's our little secret)

Apparently, this is the thing to do if you belong to my family and are currently obsessed with going to Disneyland!! Fifteen more days, for those of you who aren't counting as diligintly as I am. So following after my sisters, I took the Disney princess test and found out that I am much more unique and interesting than either of them:

Which Disney Princess Are You?
	You are part Jasmine. You are loyal and would visit the ends of the earth for what you believe. You would never let obstacles stand in the way of true love.
	You are part Pocahontas. You defy convention and sometimes do what is considered taboo. Unfortunately, others do not always appreciate your differences, so it's good that you are so strong-willed. You are loyal and you believe in fate. Your true love will find you one day.
Find Your Character @ BrainFall.com

Secret Auction

Starting Bid: $1.00
Your Maximum Bid: ________

End Time: When Sold
Shipping Costs: Varies
Ships to: Worldwide

You are bidding on an adorable 23 month old! But don't be fooled she acts much older... She acts like a TWO YEAR OLD! The auctions begins tonight and she will go to the highest bidder (or whoever will take her!)

Special Skills:

• fluent in many languages including: "Ahhh!", Two-year-old English, Jibberish and the ancient language of the Screamers
• exceptional climbing skills. She can climb on the counter, the toilet, the desk, and up the tall ladder of the swing set
• amazing entertainer! She can sing many songs including: "Jesus Wants Me For a Sunbeam", "Bella Bella Bella Dancerella" and her new favorite "I Can Ride My Bike With No Handlebars"
• make-up artist extraordinaire. Make-up in her hands is always open and always "art"!
• she is also a skilled dancer
• avid "photographee", but she loves to get her little sticky hands on a camera and photograph others as well
• excellent jumper! She can jump on beds and couches. She can jump off laundry baskets and chairs. She is an all-around great jumper!
• great cuddler but only when she wants too

Bidder Requirements:

• a pantry full of cereal, peanut butter and Raviolis
• a fridge full of milk, yogurt and apples
• a unhealthy desire to potty train a small independent person
• the ability to make her 10-15 meals a day
• ability to keep your sanity (running helps me)
• the patience of Job
• a messy house (this is flexible. If your house isn't messy now, don't worry she can do something about that for you)

Additional Images:

If interested in this fun and adorable little monster, please feel free to contact the seller.