humbled

right now i am sitting in my warm, cozy house watching my baby boy sleep peacefully next to me in the light of our Christmas tree. yesterday was what i'd like to call "a turning point." it happens every so often and it's not fun, but much needed. last night i stayed up late talking with my hubby and it helped. this morning i woke up ready to conquer all that needs to get done to make this a merry holiday for myself and the kiddos. tonight will be special and i'm off to finish the preparations and relish this time with my little baby boy before big sister takes center stage :) i can't wait for Santa either AND as a bonus--it's snowing outside!

the truth

i've been putting on a happy face. shopping for gifts, baking goodies, and delivering presents all while inside i want to scream. today i broke. i was running my final errands and in a rush, forgot the one item i went to that specific store to get. with all the dinners, parties, get-togethers and what-not that surrounds this time of year i was limited on my time. instead i was forced to drag two kids, one sleeping & the other sleepy, to the store to pick up the Christmas cards that will not arrive before Christmas and all the food or treats we've "volunteered" to bring to the festivities this weekend. my hubby just got an earful because i'm DONE! i haven't felt the spirit of the season this year. i haven't done anything for ME this year. i really just wanted to see the lights at temple square. we've been downtown twice, but both times we've rushed to return home. my kids can sense the tension i'm carrying around and are not helping the situation, but they are not to be blamed. i haven't had time to take Savanna to see Santa this year. instead, she met "father Christmas" at my friends, mother's work. got that? the only lights she's seen are the ones from the car window as we rush home after a frantic day of NOTHING! or at least that's how i feel when it's over. i have a closet full of presents to wrap including those items from my list that require a certain size or color. one of these days i will update this blog with all the happenings and memories i want to remember and record for my blog book. until then, i will be praying for life to slow down enough that i can enjoy it and if it doesn't i'll make myself a vinyl quote to put on my bathroom mirror that reads: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. thanks for listening {reading}. don't worry, i'm off to pour myself a diet coke and watch something christmas-like on tv. later i will wrap all those presents, hopefully while listening to the Christmas devotional i missed. Merry friggin' Christmas.

chris? who's chris?

for most of you {myself included} if & when savanna were to mention the name chris you'd immediately assume she was talking about her dad or to her dad. well, this is not the case. as i realized today, after TWO misunderstandings and a reaffirmation from nana "D", turns out "chris" is an imaginary friend. the first incidence was this morning. my visiting teachers were over and savanna was playing with a friend. she came downstairs and announced "mommy, chris doesn't want to play trains." to which i responded, "her name is brooklyn and maybe she just wants to play with the girl toys."
weird, yes. attention getter, not really.
the second time was my ah! moment. savanna and i were at the doctors office and return to our assigned room after an eventful bathroom experience--getting a urine sample from a 3 yr. old is a whole post in itself.
savanna entered the room first and i closed the door. immediately savanna asked, "where's chris?"
"who?"
"chris, he's blue."
"what does this chris do?"
"he jumps here, and goes whoosh over here." {she was doing actions showing how one would fly from the doctors computer to the chair between us}
i sent her dad, chris, a text message mentioning that i thought she may have an imaginary friend named "chris." it was then that i heard that on saturday while savanna was with her dad, chris, at his parents house and playing in the basement, nana "D" heard her talking to a "chris" and calling "chris". she also just assumed she was talking to he dad and asked him about it before they left. apparently "chris" has been around longer than i thought. looks like my life just got more complicated and entertaining all in the same moment. awesome!

yum yum yummiest

the question i asked myself this evening {and most every evening}: what's for dinner?!?! now that i live in UTAH its a lovely night when it's a Cafe Rio Nite! after a day of marathon shopping {and running errands with my mom}, an unexpected doctors appointment, and regular everyday craziness--it's a wee bit o' heaven for this s-l-o-w-l-y adjusting mother of two. jealous much? you should be!

ahhhh! much better now! that fussy baby in the background, i can handle it WITH a smile. wow. i need a little "Rio" more often *wink, wink*.

blessing day

i LOVE baby blessing day!

i love the spirit that lingers while you dress your little baby in white. i love the knowledge that my Father in Heaven loves me enough to trust me with His child for a time. i am always mindful of my hubby who loathes speaking in public, but takes pride in the Priesthood he holds and blesses our children. i love remembering all the little promises and blessings that await my little boy as he grows up. i am always strengthened and motivated to be a better mother and teacher when i know a lot depends on me. being a mother is a great blessing and challenge that i try and enjoy a little more everyday.

sadly, i was so caught up in the moment and loving visiting with family & friends in our new house that i completely forgot to take any pictures. lucky for me, i had these pictures taken just after the big day or there would be no record of the adorable outfit Nana "D" whipped up. i just love my little man--white cords, sweater vest & let's not forget the little beret.