Audrey..

Let me just start with saying I love this girl. She is beautiful, perfect, sweet, and a miracle. I knew this baby would join our family when it was the right time. The timing could not be better.

On April 22nd I got a text from my mom telling me Audrey was on her way. We were going to all go out for my sister Jen's birthday lunch. Well we still went, just one girl short. It was nice to sit and talk with my mom and Jen. How cool that Audrey and Jen share their special day together.

We headed over to the hospital after to check in with Bryce and Janica. Everything was going well and she was getting closer. Around 3:30 she started to push. The door was left open with just the curtain closed. I LOVED standing there listening to what was being said. I cried when I heard that sweet cry, so soft and new. At that moment I loved where I was and the sounds I heard. They did it, they gave the world a gift. I am so thankful for a Heavenly Father that is loving and good. I am happy that these two endured and kept their heads up during a painful time.
Congrats and we love you very much. Enjoy a few pictures of this little beauty!

Leola..

Little Leola is Parker's sister Maddi's babe, so my sister in law.. I love little L, as they call her alot. I love the difference motherhood brings out in us women. I always knew Maddi was great with kids, but to see her with her own was awesome. She is a natural.

Chris and Maddi are two really loving parents and Leola is one lucky lady to have them. We went up to the hospital after Maddi had delivered. The first time we saw her we just loved her. It was so cute to see Parker with her. He sat in the chair and rocked her while whispering sweet things to her. At that moment I watched my future children's dad. Parker will be AMAZING, he has so much love to give.

I also love that babies bring people closer. I have spent alot of time over at Maddi's and have gotten to know her better. All I can say is I really like her. She is my kind of friend, luckily she is now my family. Thank you Chris and Maddi for bringing a wonderful child into our lives and sharing her. We love you!!

Here are a few pictures of the pretty lady!

CHANGE!!

I recently quit my job and I could not feel better about it. Don't get me wrong I feel so lucky that I had the opportunity to work where I did for the last 5 1/2 years. I learned so much and that is where I built my clientele. I worked with some of the nicest and most caring people I know.

Change is hard for almost everyone, especially for me. I freak myself out with just about everything. So this is why I am so proud that I finally made this change. I quit the salon and started booth rent. Now I run my own business. I can tell you that a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I feel like a new woman, ha ha cheesy I know. Do we always pay attention to what our inner self is telling us?? I think we know ourselves better than we give credit for. Ultimatley we know what is best for ourselves. I know I was watched over during the change cause everything has just fallen right into place. I feel so blessed to have a Heavenly Father that loves me and wants whats best for me.

Grandma Afton

This Christmas was so great. Parker and I spent time with family and loved every minute of it. We are so blessed with the two families we both have. Christmas Eve was great with the traditional fondue at my parents house. We always read and act out the nativity scene. The kids love being the camel and donkey. Must say they are pretty good at it:) Christmas morning we went over to my parents again for breakfast. It was good to spend a few hours on Christmas day with my family. After breakfast we headed up to Parker's parents house. We spent the rest of the day with them. We played games and ate some delicious food! Christmas was good!!

This Christmas my mom gave each of her daughters pieces of her mom's china. She also put one of those heritage maker books together about my Grandma's life. My Grandma passed away about two years before I was even born. I didn't get to spend time on earth with her but I am positive she watched over me in heaven. I remember when I was little about 4 or 5 years old looking at her picture on my parents dresser. I started to cry thinking about how I missed her. How can you miss someone you have never even met?? Well that is why I know she was my Grandma up there..
I have heard many nice things said about her from others who got to know her. Sounds like she was so giving, nice, hardworking, and a righteous woman. Now after reading her personal entries from her journal I can see all of those things being true. The night my mom gave the book to us I instantly started to look through it. I got to see where she was born, pictures of youth and many other cool things. She wrote about each one of her 6 children, and I loved learning about them. She LOVED being a mom.
I must say that the best part of my Grandma's book was her Testimony. She knew her days were limited here on earth and yet she probably didn't show it. Her courage and faith of where she was going was powerful. Her testimony has helped mine. My favorite thing she wrote about was her view on life. "Not to be envious of those who have more material goods than I. I have tried to live by the creed. Change what you can and accept the rest." I love her, and I know I will continue to learn about her until I meet her once again.
Love you Grandma Afton!!! And love you mom for thinking to share this with us!!

New Year = New possibilites

Welcome 2011 I could not be happier for you to be here! This year is going to be a good one. How many times have you said you would do something or love to incorporate something into your life and never do?? Well that's my story. It was the story of my life but not anymore. I am sick of watching time go by where I could have done things. Here is what I figure I will conquer this year.

1. Take piano lessons, I did this in my youth and gave it up for the love of dance. Now at the age of almost 27, I don't dance. I wish I would have stuck out piano a little longer.

2. I am going to be active at least 3-4 days a week. I am not saying I am trying to lose weight cause I am so over that. I honestly want to feel healthy and strong. The new dogs help me get out and walk more often.. Plus exercise does wonders for our brains. Yes sign me up please!!!

3. I am going to work on having peace within my life. This is something that is a must and I am most excited for this.

4. Drink enough water. Really? I can imagine some of you saying, but yes this is big. I want to supply my body with lots of much needed fluid:) Do you ever feel sluggish, tired and headaches? Well I do and this is why, DEHYDRATION.

5. Last but not least I want to be a good aunt. I am going to make more time for my sweet niece and nephew. Time gets busy and we lose track of those around us. I don't want this to happen with me. I also have 2 new nieces coming this spring.. Yay!

Well these are a few of my ideas on how I can improve and better my 2011. I look forward to these additions and opportunities. Much love and happiness to you all....

Christmas time and a calling to change me....

Today at church I felt so blessed. I sat during sacrament listening to the hymns focused on Christmas. I LOVE this time of year and always look forward to spending time with loved ones. As I have gotten older I view Christmas entirely different. I mean I really don't care if I get any presents at all. I feel like I have all of my needs met.

I listened the other day while I was working to this little girl and one of my co workers talking. My co worker asked the little girl if Santa was coming to her house? She replied that she sure hoped so. My co worker proceeded to ask her what was on her wish list. She said one little thing, and my co worker asked what else? The little girl replied that was all she really needed in her life and that she had everything she really needed!!! What a good kid! I was seriously so impressed with her simplicity and gratitude for the things in her life. Way to go parents!!! I want my children to be like that:)

With my new calling I feel like I am going to learn so much more from the children then I will teach them. You hear this all the time but it's true. Kids are so smart when it comes to the church. I forget how much I learned in Primary. I am so thankful for this new calling and I know I will be a better person from it.

I feel really blessed and grateful for all the things in my life.. I often think back on my life even five years ago. I have sure evolved! I thank my lucky stars and for parents, siblings, and friends who helped form me. I now know what life is about and what is really important. I am pretty proud of where I am. If you knew me then, you would be proud too:)...

I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. May this time of year remind us of what the season is truly about. Embrace moments spent with family and friends. I love my Savior and I love celebrating his birth. Merry Christmas!!!

The new pups...

We added two new puppies to our family! We are very excited and love having them around. We got two because we both wanted a different kind and could not agree on just one. Dixie is our little Brittany Spaniel and she is so energetic and quite the little biter. Parker wants to train her as soon as possible for hunting reasons. I know she is going to be really smart.


Rosy is our Maltipoo. She loves to snuggle you when you hold her. My parents have a Maltipoo and this is where I fell in love with this breed. They have great temperaments. So sweet.

We are loving the new change at our house with these guys. Dogs really are man's best friend, and woman's too:)!!