Thankful Hearts

We had a quiet Thanksgiving. We were able to spend it with some friends here in town, the Reddingtons and Jurgensmeiers. We feel very grateful to have such wonderful friends that can take the place of family that is so far away. Besides being thankful for friends, here are a few other things we are also thankful for:

• our families that love and support



• Sophia: we waited a long time for her to bless our lives



• the beautiful fall we are having, the leaves on the trees here are amazing



• our health



• opportunities of life: education and motherhood



• living in a free land



• The Church of Jesus Christ if Latter-Day Saints

We also decorated for Christmas this last weekend. We just love the holiday season.

Happy Birthday and Anniversary!

So my birthday was about a week ago. I was sick that weekend so we didn't do anything. Two of my friends Alyssa and Amelia brought by some yummy B-day treats. They are both so thoughtful and sweet to think of me.

This last Sat. was our 7 year Anniversary! I had a great day. In the morning Rob watched Sophia so I could go to Super Sat and craft away. I was only gone about 3 hrs, but it was the longest I'd ever been away from her. Rob gave me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and then took me on our first date since Sophia was born. That had been 3 long months. We put Sophia to bed and our friends Cory and Alyssa came over to watch her. We went out to a late dinner for some steak and seafood. It was delicious and such a treat to just be out with Rob.

Rob is such a sweetheart. I'm so in LOVE with him! I feel very blessed to have such a loving husband. He is an awesome Dad, I love watching him with Sophia. He is one of the hardest workers I know and is very dedicated to his education. He is very supportive of me in everything I do and encourages me to always try new things. There are so many things I never would have experienced and missed out on if it hadn't been for him. Our marriage has been amazing! We have been on so many adventures together whether we are traveling overseas or just moving across the country away from all of our family. Our relationship has also become stronger over the years through enduring some small bumps in the road of life. He is my best friend and I couldn't imagine life without him. I love you Honey!

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Rob's Famous Ribs!!!

Ok so they're only famous among a small group of friends, but they are soooooo good. Rob's got his recipe and technique down to a science. This is one of his favorite things to cook/ BBQ. I even eat them which is saying a lot because I have this thing about eating meat off of the bone.

3 Months Old

Time is just flying by with our little princess. We love her so much. She brightens our days and we feel so blessed to have her in our lives. I love going into her room in the morning and seeing her face and eyes light up when she sees me. Her smiling face is one of the best parts of my day. I never thought it would be so much fun to watch her grow. When she learns something new it's just amazing. Right now her newest thing is grabbing. She has a pretty tight grip. She had started to bat at her hanging toys, but just within the last couple of weeks I had her sitting on my lap while I was at the table with some papers in front of me and out went her hand and grabbed the paper and picked it up. I thought it was very cute. She holds her head up very well now also. Here are some pictures of the cutest baby on the block.

Trying on my warm winter hat

All dressed up for church

No, we did not actually go out in public with this bow. We just tried it on for fun. Maybe when she is a little older it won't look so big.

Alyssa's Baby Shower

This last weekend, before I got sick, (thank goodness) Amelia and I threw a baby shower for our dear friend Alyssa. She is due with her first little boy, Joshua Craig, on Dec. 26th. Sophia eagerly awaits his coming. She is very excited to have a new playmate.

Alyssa is the sweetest, most loving, talented person. I feel very blessed to have a friend like her in my life. That is why I was so excited to throw her a baby shower.

We had a really fun time eating, playing games, and just hanging out. Amelia made these yummy Oreo-cream cheese chocolate balls. So GOOOOOOOOD! We played the price is right with some baby items and everyone wore a little pacifier around there necks made of jellybeans and life savors. If you were caught saying baby, off went the pacifier to someone else. It was a great day.

Amelia was awesome for hosting at her place and making all the yummy treats. She is like the best baker and candy maker!! I love getting recipes from her. She is also one of my dearest friends and I couldn't have pulled off the shower without her. Thanks Amelia!!!

In Motherhood your world stops for nothing!

So this last weekend I came down with a cold. I thought it was nothing and would be able to get over it in a day or so. Well, what I neglected to realize was that not only was I sick, but still had to care for little Sophia at the same time. No sleeping in, no long naps, no laying on the couch watching movies. It was so HARD being sick and taking care of Sophia at the same time. Everything that I normally do to care for her which is pretty easy became 100 times harder. I was so exhausted every day. It took me days to get rid of this cold. Bless Sophia's heart. She was an angel through it all. She camped out in her swing and bouncy seat a little more than usual and didn't have a problem with that. She also slept through the night once without getting up to feed at all (that was a first, but don't think it's the start of anything, she woke up at 4:30 this morning to feed). It was just what I needed a good nights rest with no interruptions. The whole time I kept hand sanitizer nearby so I wouldn't get Sophia sick also. It's a weekend I would not like to relive again anytime soon, but know it is inevitable.