Christmas pictures of Lydia!

Every once in a while I try to get a little creative. I want to capture Lydia at this fun time of her life, and she is just so photogenic it makes it easy (when she's not sleepy haha). Here are some pictures I took earlier today and edited. I feel so privileged to have my baby girl with me, when others just lost their precious ones, especially during this time of year. I hope they can still find love and forgiveness in their hearts, despite their tragedy..I know it will be hard. I am thankful to know that Christ overcame the world, and that those children became sweet tender angels and don't have to grow up in a world of pain anymore.

I edited this one twice (see towards the end), but I think I like this one better. :)

Hahaha "and YOU.. you must be GRUMPY!" (from snow white haha..she loves when I say that)

Things I know..(about My 17 M/O)

Well, technically she's a little over 17 months, by a week or so...but I am always late on these so forgive me!
It seems that as each month goes by, her personality grows and blossoms more and more and I am always just so surprised! It seems my pattern has usually been to do this every 2 months, but it seems like she is learning a lot and changing ever so much, I don't want to accidentally miss something by skipping this month.

Here is what I know about
My 10 month old

My 1 year old

My 14 M/O

My 16 M/O

Here is what I know

I know

She absolutely loves milk. She doesn't say milk or "milkie" but she constantly signs it with both hands until you get her a sippy cup with milk in it. Before she used to drink it, we'd end up wasting at least half a gallon because it'd go bad or hit the expiration date. Now we are running out of milk (her whole milk and our 2%) by the end of the month.. WIC doesn't even satisfy her thirst (haha)! She drinks a lot!


She is so tender hearted. We actually found The Fox and the Hound on Netflix today and while watching it she started crying when the master calls for Copper after he's playing with Todd and he's sentenced to his little barrel. She thought he had to go "ni-ni" (sleep) and she thought that was the saddest thing ever! It took us both everything we had not to laugh!


That being said, she loves that movie. She loves the animals and absolutely loves puppies (and kitties). She adores her puppy head stocking and it rarely is ever on the wall with the rest of the stockings. If I get the slightest chance to hang it up, she notices it and repeats "ruh-ruh-ruh" until I grab it down for her. I can't wait til we can own our first puppy!!


She is saying so many words. It always surprises me. Lately she says "up" "Jezuhzuh" (for Jesus), "boo" for boots, "co" for coat or cold, "ew" and "ow" any time she bumps her head or sees an owie. And she'll make a fist and point to her mouth to sign and will say "moo" for food haha. I think I've figured out that it's pretty easy for her to say her vowel words..she can repeat most anything that starts or ends with A E I O U. I'm always so impressed.


I'm pretty sure she has all her teeth in by now. I'm not sure what other ones are missing, but all the gaps that were just gums are filled with teeth.

I know

She thought it was so funny that her baby was in the picture with us (bad quality because the camera is facing us)

For some reason she loves taking showers with me haha. I used to be able to sit her on the couch with some milk, her Baby Bear and put in Sesame Street and run off to take a shower and come out and she'd be sitting in the same position watching her show. Now, at the sound of the water she comes a' running and puts her arms up for me to pick her up. I won't be able to do that for too long once my belly gets bigger.


She has so much fun playing with her toys... when I'm playing with them - making them come "alive." If I start to make her baby talk and wiggle and drink her bottle, she'll continue to make noises or start to whine if I dare stop.


I know she has some sort of separation anxiety! But it's with everybody! I know she gets mad when Jonathan leaves for work, or goes out the door for 5 minutes, or if I happen to want to go to the bathroom with the door shut. But she'll also freak out if people come over and they leave, even people she's never met before haha. Today we had carolers come to our door and after they got done singing they left and we shut the door and she seriously bawled her little eyes out for 5 minutes... and we didn't even know these people!!


My once-great eater... doesn't eat everything on her plate anymore. I know it's because of the milk. She'll take a few bites and then if she sees her cup she'll whine and fuss and won't eat anything until she gets her drink..and it kind of makes dinner time miserable so I give in knowing she won't eat everything because she fills up on that. She loves pasta though haha.


She is so smart!!! The Jesus "book" binder I made that has all sorts of pictures ranging from the birth of Christ to his Resurrection, has a picture of Mary and the angel Gabriel. Well, the other day when she first saw the picture she said, "maumey" for Mary..and before I could even turn the page she said "Baby!!" and on the flip side was an old Christian painting of the nativity scene, with baby Jesus. I was so surprised she remembered what was on the back of the picture. I need to give her more credit. :)

I know

She is going to be so tech savvy when she's older! NOT that we're gonna give her an itouch or something, which I've seen some parents give to their 7 year olds haha. But she already knows how to turn on our phone (pushing the home screen, sliding the bar across) and knows how to navigate around. She has her baby apps, but she is also good at holding a button down so you can rearrange things, which she does quite often.. luckily she brings it to us when it says it's about to delete an app. She's busy doing that, texting my sister, and calling China. She seriously dialed a number about 25 digits long the other night, luckily with a lot of hashtags, so it didn't go through. Phewph!


She sits forward facing in her carseat now...and I'm pretty sure she loves it! She always says "liii" for light, while looking out the window, and when I'm driving she says "Hi" over and over and I say hi back while looking in my rear view mirror at her. I love being able to see her. :)


She loves webcamming/face timing. She thinks it's so funny seeing herself on screen and she loves skyping with my sister/family. She'll grab the whole laptop away from me and position it on her legs (like it's HER'S!)...and occasionally turn off the computer while we're skyping...and then throw a fit when I take it away. She is so goofy lol. She also likes taking videos of herself (facing herself so she can see) on our phone and then watching it over and over.....and over and over.


Whenever we listen to music (mostly up-beat music, like rap or hip-hop) she dances sooo much! She's mastered how to "shake those hips" from side to side during songs and does it on command when we tell her to. It's probably my most favorite thing to watch her do. It is hilarious. She was headbanging at church on Sunday during all the Christmas songs. It made a few people laugh, including us. I love that she has a passion for dancing/music!


Sometimes she'll just sit there and say "Daddy..daddy daddy da da da da daddy" over and over, as well as "Mommy, mama" etc. Even when you say "what" she still continues to do it. It's like she wants to tell us something.. but doesn't know what to say once she gets past that part hahah.


My most favorite thing is when I take the opening line/tune of the primary song, Teacher, do you love me? (which is "Teacher, do you love me?") and change the words to, "Lyyydiiaa, I love yooouuu!" and she says, 'LUH YOU!?' back to me, and then I tell her "YEP, I LOVE YOU!" She does it every time without fail. Sometimes she'll say, "daddy! luh you!" It's so precious.

Yep, those three words from her mouth are my favorite!

Lately I've Been

Making crafts (and treats) from Pinterest!

The Christ Book, which you can find the printouts,
(besides the pictures which you have to buy from the LDS store) here

Crocheting this beautiful scarf! (which is for sale - $15!)

Also crocheting this stocking for my second born!

Had a Scentsy party Thursday night.

Making home made Butter Toffee for the first time, ever for the party. And it turned out great! Can't wait to make it again!
Here's the recipe

I also made

Candy Cane Popcorn from The Girl Who Ate Everything

And home made Caramel Apple Cider

for the party

I'm currently working on another fuzzy scarf, but it's not completed yet, so no picture.

But I've been a busy busy girl and it's only December 8th!

I Believe - December

This is part of my I Believe series I do every first Sunday of the month. It is my testimony. Sometimes I get a chance to share it at church, other times I don't, but today, I'd like to share it with you.


I believe in the power of the Atonement. It can heal anything. We can become 100% clean from our sins and mistakes, and our consciences can be guilt free, but that doesn't always mean it will take away our consequences. I believe in a loving and forgiving God, but I also know that He has great expectations from us, and wants and desires us to be good people. I know there is a God. You cannot take that knowledge away from me. I have had the Spirit testify to me again and again that it is true and that there is a higher power looking over us.

I know the Savior came to earth.. in His humble meekness and poor circumstances He came to our world to save us. He came, He taught, He lived, and He died. And yet, He still lives. And we still continue to learn from Him.

At the start of this Christmas season I have begun to think a lot more about the true meaning of Christmas. It seems each year I think I grasp a little bit more of the true meaning, but this time I think I have truly felt it. It was while I was reading

Maybe Christmas Doesn't Come From A Store

that I believe I finally understood just how sacred the moment of His birth was. You should definitely read it, if you never have. It brought a whole new perspective to me about Christ's parents and their sacrifices and just how dirty and gross the place he was actually born in was and how poor they really were. Me, having given birth to Lydia in a clean hospital, with doctors and nurses, had it so much better than even our Heavenly King and his humble mother. I love the point that he makes, that Mary and Joseph probably knew that even in the beginning of His mortal life, it wouldn't be easy, preparing him for later things to come, but it would be done so he could know how to help others who feel the same way.

Elder Holland definitely says it better, 

"Perhaps these parents knew even then that in the beginning of his mortal life, as well as in the end, this baby son born to them would have to descend beneath every human pain and disappointment. He would do so to help those who also felt they had been born without advantage."

I was enlightened while reading it, understanding that Christ, the Savior of us all, never once had a prideful moment, even at his birth. He was humble all throughout his life. He wasn't born in an adorned palace, but a lowly stable. Up through his crucifixion he lived a truly meek life. 

I am so extremely humbled by reading about this sacred experience. I have a renewed love for the Savior and his earthly and heavenly parents. Before this, I wasn't either for or against Santa Claus and letting Lydia know who he was or letting her experience the fun in believing in him. Now, I feel it would be totally against everything that I feel is right for this special holiday, to introduce him into our home and let him take the spotlight for the one time of year which belongs to a precious, perfect, little child.

I believe in Christ, He is my {Heavenly} King

30/30 of Thirty Thankful Days

Today is day 30/30 of my Thirty Thankful Days! experiment. I'm not sure who's been following along this whole time, but it's been great for me, and I've learned a lot..especially how to see good things in my life, despite trials or circumstances. It's amazing that a whole month has gone by. Tomorrow will be December first. I can't believe we're a month away from another year gone by. Wow.


Today, I am thankful for my family. My immediate family and my extended family (in-laws and siblings/parents). I'm thankful for their support. I'm thankful for our little car. I'm thankful for my home and its heat and that we can sleep warmly. I'm thankful for the dinner I was able to make tonight and to feed my family with. I'm thankful for my children and that we're a family of four. I'm thankful for the sweet, dear people in my life and for those that constantly help us. I'm thankful for my friends. I'm thankful for the church that I attend and for the testimony that I have of my Savior. I'd be lost in this world with out them. I'm thankful for Jonathan and the fun we have together and for the love that we share. I'm thankful for my body and that it's whole and in one piece and that I can bear children. I'm thankful for all these blessings, and so much more. You'd be scrolling if I wrote in detail everything that I'm thankful for.

What are you thankful for?

To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven. - President Monson

29/30 of Thirty Thankful Days

29/30 of Thirty Thankful Days!


While on pinterest over the last few months I've slowly collected crafts/tradition ideas that I'd like to start making for Christmas or for my home for the season. Now that December is (almost) finally here I feel like I can actually start doing them. One that I found online that was pretty doable is called The Christ book. It's a compilation of scriptures (plus a more modern understanding/explanation for children), children's Christmas hymns, and pictures. It starts before Christ's birth, when prophets prophesied of His coming, all the way through the crucifixion, resurrection, and the 2nd Coming. I ordered the primary picture packets today, and printed off everything yesterday (ended up running out of ink, oops). I can't wait 'til it's complete, but it looks pretty good. I put it in a binder and have plastic sheet covers. The final product should look good.

Today I am thankful for all that Christ did for us and is. He is a shining example of who we are supposed to be. He is perfect in every way. I am thankful His life was so selfless. I'm thankful He is so kind, forgiving, and loving. I remember reading a women's blog and she was saying how she'd rather see her children share with another child, or give them their lunch, or be kind, than see them in fancy clothes or have good grades or whatever. She'd rather see them have a love for Christ and for those around them than for material things. She also mentioned how every day since they were even in the womb, she prays that they will have a love for Jesus. She isn't a member of my church, but she has a strong testimony in our Savior. I thought it was particularly special how she prays for her two girls to love the Lord. Before reading that I never really thought about that. I just kind of prayed for Lydia to be kind and loving to others.. but I have seen the need to actually have the Lord in your heart and mind all the time.. and why not pray for our children to be receptive to the Lord? I am thankful for her good example and am thankful for wonderful people out there of all faiths who are trying their hardest to be good and righteous in this world.

28/30 of Thirty Thankful Days

28/30 of my Thirty Thankful Days!


Hmm.. I kind of stink when I get a few days behind in what I'm thankful for. I can barely remember what I even did 2 days ago, let alone what I was thinking about. 

Wednesday, the 28th, was the day after my little sister's birthday, Amy. I remember thinking about her the last few days. I can't believe she's already 12!!! Holy cow haha. I am thankful I have a sweet little girl for my sister. She is always so nice and kind - and sometimes hilariously funny. She says the funniest things (that sometimes she doesn't even know is funny) and usually just reading her facebook statuses make me laugh (okay okay, it usually is the type-o's, but I love her innocence). I remember when we left for Texas so I could get married, and then again last December to come to Idaho, she bawled her little eyes out. I was so frustrated (the first time, when I was leaving to get married) at the airport and wanted things to go smoothly, and she was crying and just wanting to hug me, but I told her to step back so that I could finish getting ready to get my tickets/prepare for security check. She ended up walking away and sat with my dad, still crying. I felt really bad afterward, because all she wanted to do was hold me and not let me leave to Texas. :) It was actually really sweet, I just wished I had realized then how much she needed me. She is a sweet little soul.

I know she misses me and my family a lot. She constantly makes little comments about how lucky Mari or maybe my mom might be when/if they come to Idaho for school and to see the new baby in April. I know she really wants to visit. It might be possible in the future...maybe during the summer.. but we'll have to see. I hope I'm a good example to her, because now that two of the girls will be out of the house (soon, at least for a short period of time) she'll need someone to look up to, that doesn't just play Call of Duty all the time (cough, Joseph ;) ).

Love you little Amy! Make good choices! And smile, pretty girl :)