I had an epiphany not long ago that I recorded in my journal. I love when other moms post something that inspires or uplifts me so I thought that I would try and return the favor.

“Being a mom I have often struggled feeling like “me”. The days are so full and busy that I get wore out and often find myself impatient and snappy. I wish for a happier me. The “me” who enjoys life and takes time to smell the roses. The “me” who is super social and fun and is even known to make people laugh now and then. I am constantly doing things for my family and at the end of the day I was wishing for more “me” time (whatever that is!) I’ve often thought “oh if I could just go to more Girl’s Night’s and get out of the house. If I could just have more time to do things I love like shopping, or crafts I would be a better “me” and a better mom.

However, one day while reading in the New Testament the Spirit taught me something and I recognized the way I felt. I felt truly happy and content as I read. I learned that I don’t need to do more activities that I like in order to be happier. (Although I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt.) All the Girl’s Nights Out and shopping trips won’t make me feel more like “me”. What I need to do is make more time for the scriptures and earnest prayer in my life. Those two things more than anything else will help me feel fulfilled and complete. Like MYSELF.”

Hallie had her half birthday on Sunday and so now she is officially 2 1/2 years old. My oh my how time flies! Sometimes I just stop and watch her and think “Can it be true? Can that little girl be my baby?” Anyone who knows her thinks she is 3 (people have thought this since she turned 2 because of how well she speaks). Strangers who don’t hear her talk but only see her size think she is 1. lol

Hallie loves her little brother and gets him to laugh quite often. She is also great at making him cry by taking his toys or shoving them in his face. It’s funny to see her on top of him saying they are wrestling or she is tickling him (with supervision of course!) Her most recent accomplishment was learning how to do a somersault all by herself. Naps have reappeared and I couldn’t be happier. We went several months with no naps so now that they have come back this past week I am a happy camper.

Hallie is funny when it comes to food. She is a huge snacker! She would snack all day if we let her.  Her biggest meal of the day is breakfast. We don’t buy cold cereal so she prefers raw oatmeal with milk and brown sugar. Yes, I  said raw! She refuses to let me cook it: “Don’t cook it mom!”  Her smallest meal of the day is dinner. She is very picky and often doesn’t want to eat what we are having so she goes to bed without it. She loves noodles, bread, sugar etc. Hates meat and potatoes. Favorite food is smoothies!

A new hobby she has picked up is photography. She carries our old camera around and takes a million pictures of everything. (Most of which have her fingers in them.) Diego is still her imaginary friend but seems to not be around quite as much these days. She loves going to Church and asks on a daily basis if we can go. Then on Sunday morning she insists on going as soon as she wakes up. She loves friends and wants to play with one constantly.

Ben and I often end our night telling each other all the funny things Hallie did and said that day. For example: telling people “peace out” or “thanks babe” or “come on lovers”. We love our Hallie! Life would be so empty with out her.

Kyle is now 7 months old and he is as sweet and wiggly as ever. Goodbye to the days where he would just chill in your arms, cuddle and hold still while getting his diaper changed. Hello to wiggly, busy, rolling and scooting Kyle. He wants to play every second that he is awake and as always he enjoys watching his crazy sister do what she does best. He loves to give everyone big smiles and he loves to babble. He eats all sorts of baby food these days and gets hypnotized when he watches us eat big people food. He wants it so bad! He can feed himself the gerber puffs with 100% accuracy and his fine motor skills seem to be better at this stage than his gross motor skills. He still loves his binkie but most of all he loves his mommy! I don’t think there is a person out there who loves me more than he does. lol He lights up when I walk in a room and cries when I leave. He’s my little buddy and I can’t imagine what life would be like or even remember for that matter what life was like before him. He is such a sweet and necessary part of our family. We all love our Ky Man!

Oh and he has blow outs daily. haha Which means lots of  baths!

Kyle turned 6 months old on Jan 9th but because we were in Utah I am just now blogging about it. I can’t believe he is half a year old! I seriously want him to stay my baby forever. He is such a good little guy who loves his momma. He is all smiles almost all the time and he is becoming a playful little man. He loves toys and grabs for anything and every thing. (Unfortunately it is usually my hair.) He started eating solid food and of course gobbles it up. So far he eats: carrots, sweet potatoes, pears, peaches, and peas. He also says “dada” constantly.

It seems like he changes everyday and sometimes I cry because of it. After watching Hallie grow up I know how fast it goes and it makes me sad to think that I won’t have a baby much longer. Okay moving on before I start crying at the computer. lol He now rolls in order to get to toys etc. It’s so cute and fun to watch him play with toys. He and Hallie are starting to play together and I love it!

Kyle weighs 18 lbs. 6 oz. and is 26.5 inches long. (on 1/27/11)

We didn’t send out Christmas cards this year…. BUT if we had this would have been the picture.

I have been blessed in my life to have great friends. Growing up I lacked good true friends and so I prayed and prayed that friends would come. Well the Lord answers prayers because they have come and I couldn’t ask for better people in my life. While in Utah I had hoped to see many of them. But, alas, sickness confined us to solidarity. I was there for 3 1/2 weeks and only saw a handful of friends, most of which, were willing to drive to see me. (Thanks girls!)

First up, Oakcrest reunion. (Oakcrest is a church girls camp in Utah. I was a counselor in 2004)

Next up: My name twin and old mission roommate. I still call her by her maiden name. Old habits die hard.

College buddies are next:

I decided that I only choose friends who make me laugh. These two do a good job at it!

Finally Highschool:

While in Utah my dad had to teach for the Fire Academy down in beautiful and warm St. George. Of course we offered to go with him! My cousin Deven’s boss just happens to be a multi-millionaire and was gracious enough to let us stay in his house. (A house that he visits maybe twice a year!) We went with Deven and his cute family. I wish I could hang out with his wife, Julie, more often. She is so sweet and chill. I could definitely use some of that rubbing off on me. 🙂

St. George was the highlight of my trip!

One Sunday after church we decided to visit my dad at work and let the kids explore the fire station. My favorite memory from that day:

Papa- (pointing to the bed in the fire truck) “Hallie this is where kids who get hurt ride to the hospital”

Hallie- no response just checking everything out.

10 mintues later.

Papa- “Hallie want to go for a ride in the fire truck?”

Hallie- runs to me, grabs my leg and hides behind it. “I not hurt mom! I not hurt!” lol she thought that if you ride in the fire truck that means you are hurt and you go to the hospital. I think we may have traumatized her.  Hopefully not.

Ben’s little sister Alix’s wedding was the whole reason we went to Utah. We had discussed going to Utah for Christmas but decided against it because of finances. However, after hearing the news that Alix was getting married we knew we couldn’t miss it and pulled out the good ol’ credit card. 🙂 We were grateful that she chose to get married so close to Christmas because we were able to celebrate the holiday with our families.

While in Utah we were able to do a few really fun activities. (In between illness that is.)

First up- We took Hallie skiing. She rocked those tiny ski’s. We couldn’t believe how amazing she was. No fear what so ever. At first she rode between Ben’s ski’s but by the end of the afternoon she was going all by herself. Ben would send her down and my dad (who went with us) would catch her. She is a rockstar!

The other activity I was able to do was go flying with my dad. My dad is currently getting his pilot’s license and took me out on one of his long distance flights. We flew to Wendover and back. It was awesome to be in a plane my dad was flying. He is such a stud!