First Day of Kindergarten

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Her first day of Kindergarten has come and gone.

She picked out numerous outfits to wear for the big day and informed me that she "is into style!"

I think I was more anxious than she was.

I feel like it was just yesterday when my oldest started kindergarten and he is now a third grader.

Time is passing quickly. I'm feeling it. 

She went with ease and was so excited.

After she said she isn't sure she will like it because she can't eat or drink for three hours. 

Torture. For sure.

Out of the blue in the evening she said "what does disrespectful mean?"

I asked her if her teacher said she was being disrespectful and she said yes.

Then I explained what it meant, and she rebuked her statement and told me her teacher actually said it to another boy in the class. Sounds about right. ;)

Her second day was not so fun. She had a hard time. I had a hard time.

I thought it would be really easy to let her go. To have time apart.

It has been different than I anticipated.

She ended up staying, and had good things to say. 

She mentioned that she was really good today and that yesterday she wasn't so good.

Hmm. Disrespectful comes to mind.

She loves having homework to sit next to her brother and do.

I love seeing her want to learn.

I also love seeing her grow. 

As hard as that may be.

It's a good thing.

one

With how fast time seems to slip by me these days it comes as no surprise that she is already one. I'm among many other parents wishing there was some way to slow this process of parenting down, and yet I'm constantly look forward to the next landmark in each child's life. Today certainly qualifies as that. My baby is one!!

One year ago today I was at the hospital anxiously awaiting her arrival.

She was and continues to be perfect in every way. She has a sweet little soul and is loved beyond measure. I'm thankful everyday for the gift of Motherhood and the blessings that come with it. This little girl has rekindled and deepened my devotion as a Mother from the moment she was placed in my arms. She's healed our family where healing was needed. Reconnected us. With her life came a better understanding at what is worth letting go - and what is worth getting upset about. A reminder to live more patiently. To reflect daily on the good that surrounds us all. And to give thanks to whom it all comes from.

I am where I want to be. Doing exactly what I want to be doing. With a grateful heart.

You are loved sweet baby girl.

The memories from this last year are alive in each picture and in my heart, making me feel like this was literally just yesterday...

xoxo.

one year pics

Gethsemane

I am particularly emotional right now.

Filled with an overwhelming confirmation that my Savior not only loves me, but that he feels me. Because of the Atonement I can be forgiven of my mistakes, but more importantly to me in my life right now, I have a friend. One that is always there for me. One that knows how I feel and understands me.

For our Easter Program the children are singing Gethsemane.  

It's a beautiful song. I have loved being in Primary listening to the children learn and sing it.

"The hardest thing that ever was done. The greatest pain that ever was known. The biggest battle that ever was won. This was done by Jesus. The fight was won by Jesus."

My mind can't fully comprehend what happened in Gethsemane, but my heart feels that (among other things) it was an act of love. For us. For the Father. 

I love Jesus Christ. With all my heart I love him.

Picture is from the movie Another Testament Reflections of Christ

Photography by Mark Mabry 

11 months

She is every bit as sweet as she is adorable.

She is pulling up onto everything. Her little legs are wobbly under her, but getting stronger everyday.
We spend so much time together I feel like I can read her facial expressions.
She gets this look in her eye and I know she recognizes something.
Like when I say "tongue" and she will look at me and stick hers out.
Or when I'm feeding her and I sign "more" and she smiles at me and opens her mouth.
Or when she is in the bath and I say "splash" and she will start hitting the water splashing it everywhere!
She now has her two top teeth, and is over her cold. Consequently, she is back to her happy state.
She has this obsession with burring her face in anything soft and in a pile. We all get a kick out of it.
Her laugh. I need to record it and keep it forever. It makes everything better.

She is every bit of detail needed to complete my family.

Standing

I remember opening the door to my sons room to find him sitting up in his crib for the first time.
I remember doing the same thing to find him standing.
and I remember the above for both of my girls.

These little, yet monumental steps that shout: "i'm growing. so quickly!"
I cherish every time I open that door to her room.
Because my little baby boy that used to greet me standing up in his crib is now nearing eight.
And just yesterday I put my baby down to sleep, and today when I opened the door she was standing.
Greeting me with this big happy smile. Reminding me that I am someone so special to her.
And that all of my hard work and efforts are so entirely worth it.

Giggles

10 Months

At 10 months she continues to be content and easy going. She keeps tricking us into thinking she is teething, but nothing comes through. Only the longest running cold in the history of babies in our family. Poor girl. She's been a trooper. She likes to get up on her knees, but isn't pulling up onto her feet yet. I love finding her all over the house getting into things. An open cupboard is her best friend, and the solid 20 minutes of entertainment is always worth the clean up. She wakes up and wants to search the house for who is home. She welcomes anyone she finds with a smile and a wave. I love how she now crawls really fast as if she is racing to get somewhere exciting. Love how she lifts an arm up toward you if she wants you to pick her up. Love that she waves to everything:  cars or people driving by. Love the way she plays peek a boo lifting up her blanket over her face and giggling when she pulls it down over and over. LOVE that giggle of hers. Love her wide mouth smile showing off her two bottom teeth and the way she squints her eyes making her smile extra happy. Love that she takes good naps. I love that she loves me. I put a lot of hard work and effort into these little people I call mine and it's nice to not be talked back to. Without saying anything she has a way of showing me countless times throughout the day how much she needs me. Sometimes it's hard, but most of the time it's rewarding. It feels my heart with love, and love is a good thing. I love you Andie Jane.