tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90400623119784628292024-03-05T23:09:04.450-08:00 Cultivating an Attitude of GratitudeDana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.comBlogger182125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-9881765520408266432015-07-01T21:14:00.002-07:002015-07-01T21:14:45.261-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa3oXijloS9zz0D9DXnwkrj_mkpgwlukceB1ZXxQbh4a99HMmq1__RjpgfFcTfWf67YyIr1JQ2mPS2CiRy9NKwcBu57O6UDgQsGmclTCo1TuASpUHUQ1-cN3xhMjMt79hYXtMtuywgRTj/s1600/20739689_XTfxr4-11.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa3oXijloS9zz0D9DXnwkrj_mkpgwlukceB1ZXxQbh4a99HMmq1__RjpgfFcTfWf67YyIr1JQ2mPS2CiRy9NKwcBu57O6UDgQsGmclTCo1TuASpUHUQ1-cN3xhMjMt79hYXtMtuywgRTj/s1600/20739689_XTfxr4-11.jpeg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-7229401109671714452015-05-07T10:47:00.000-07:002015-05-07T10:47:49.719-07:00Graduation and Moving On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's been forever since I've posted. I've been so busy with moving plans, finishing last semester, getting sick multiple times, yeah it's been pretty crazy. But also crazy awesome! Cameron Graduated from BYU! I'm so very proud of him. I have to admit it was really hard for me to be sitting in the audience during graduation and not next to my wonderful husband, wearing the cap and gown. I almost lost it a few times when well meaning friends and relatives kept bringing up that I wasn't done yet. I wanted to walk across that stage. I wanted to feel like all of the sacrifices I've made for my education and family were worth while. I wanted so badly to be done with this phase of trying to live two lives--stay at home mom <i>and </i>student. It's hard. It wasn't what I had planned.<br />
<br />
But I got through it, and I'm trying hard to accept the plans the Lord has for me. I read a great quote today by Bonnie L. Oscarson: "If it is the Lord's plan, it should be our plan, too!" I have been selfish and thinking about me and what I've wanted and "why don't my plans ever work out?" But if I turn to the Lord and make <i>his</i> plans what I'm most concerned about then I will be a lot happier, because his plans are the ones that happen!<br />
<br />
In my ideal world I would be graduated now and I'd be moving on to a time of life without homework instead of taking spring classes to try and finish as much as I can before we move in the fall, but I know that God is in control. I know that he gives me trials so that I can grow, and I need to be more grateful for what I do have. When we have hard times in our lives, we need to decide if we are going to become bitter or better. Lately I've been bitter, but now I want to be better!<br />
<br />
I choose to look at my circumstances with gratitude! I choose to be happy, even when circumstances are not what I want them to be! I choose to be my best self.<br />
<br />
I am so grateful for my family! I am grateful for my husband and all the sacrifices that he makes for Sam and me. I am grateful for Sam and would never ever exchange him for a college degree. I love him with all my heart and know that starting our family when we did was the right thing to do for us! It may not be easy, but it is absolutely glorious!<br />
<br />
I am grateful for my Heavenly Father for his love and support. I am so grateful for how patient he is with my constant shortcomings. I love him and hope I can keep trying to become more like him!<br />
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-67040976601927507402015-02-24T11:04:00.000-08:002015-02-24T11:04:05.969-08:00How I Plan Our Weekly Menu//and Actually Save Money!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I first started planning weekly menus for our family, I noticed that we seemed to spend more than if I went to the grocery store without a plan. I couldn't understand it. I'd always heard people talking about how planning a menu saved them money.<br />
<br />
When I planned a menu before, I usually thought of all the interesting meals I could make, with almost every day being a new recipe or something out of the ordinary and therefore almost every ingredient had to be purchased that week. Not only was this expensive, but it was exhausting. I was hardly ever making easy meals because I had looked up all these "cool" recipes. Needless to say, it didn't last very long.<br />
<br />
Then, I finally got finance conscious. I wasn't trying to use a menu in the same way any more. Before it had been to make sure that we had exciting meals every night. Now, it's about saving money by wisely using what I have, and trying to be creative with it.<br />
<br />
Here's how I start:<br />
<br />
Look in the Pantry and Refrigerator. What do I already have? Beans, rice, corn, chicken makes a great chicken quesadilla or something similar. Instead of starting with a recipe and then buying ingredients, I work backwards. Work with what you have and find recipes that fit.<br />
<br />
You don't have to only use ingredients that you have in your home, but make sure that's the jumping off point. If you want to save money, try to work with what you have. I don't usually keep things like fresh basil or cilantro in my refrigerator, but if I do buy them, I try to come up with multiple recipes that use them so that I don't just use it once and let the rest go bad.<br />
<br />
Another great way to save money is to make things fresh or from scratch. Plain oats are less expensive than pre-sweetened instant oatmeal. Learn to make your own sauces for spaghetti instead of buying boxed pasta meals.<br />
<br />
Another thing to consider when planning your menu is your weekly schedule. Consider the amount of time you will have to get everything ready and plan accordingly. If you're really busy one night, you don't want to be making egg rolls from scratch (trust me, they're delicious but can take a LONG time.) For busy nights, have quick, simple recipes. Save the more labor intensive or long-cooking ones for more relaxed days.<br />
<br />
Write down your plan! Having a menu doesn't make you more organized if you don't remember what was on it. I made us a template and put it in a page protector (laminating would probably work better) so that we can use it as a dry erase board. You could also put yours in a picture frame with a glass front, or paint it on a chalk board. Whatever works for you!<br />
<br />
Then, once you have everything planned, make a grocery list. Any ingredients that you don't already have go on the list. When you go shopping, stick to your list! It helps if your stomach is full when you go to the store, otherwise those impulsive buys will be a lot more tempting!<br />
<br />
If you're interested, here's my very basic menu template ( I colored mine with colored pencils.)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmduOfFQntyxbzvLXVX5r9pVHhwIW0kqWKCHqBlG7pkVYwT60fITBxbk4ylRiwa5nsiIlUWQ2Jgbdpqf9qu7Hc2rj8WTNOYzn-GqPhCtPIBXJ08MFoU88TccsTW8VSRB7_yzQIiOYMocQ/s1600/Weekly+Menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmduOfFQntyxbzvLXVX5r9pVHhwIW0kqWKCHqBlG7pkVYwT60fITBxbk4ylRiwa5nsiIlUWQ2Jgbdpqf9qu7Hc2rj8WTNOYzn-GqPhCtPIBXJ08MFoU88TccsTW8VSRB7_yzQIiOYMocQ/s1600/Weekly+Menu.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-70127784038836774312015-02-23T11:47:00.001-08:002015-02-23T11:47:04.262-08:00Cake Smash//Picture Overload!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6kKDZ42bKZ3GbSXWfgG0mXy1f11RWXUqmSSEH4fmtrJbZxWVwtTyk6KyjRfTRZEoWqdBsKrVKcsnHwhb7H2owoKno3n3AJivgOQc0D0LVaDwszo-pB-6xg4hDclAX26JGRUEHiParMbD/s1600/smashcakeshoottext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6kKDZ42bKZ3GbSXWfgG0mXy1f11RWXUqmSSEH4fmtrJbZxWVwtTyk6KyjRfTRZEoWqdBsKrVKcsnHwhb7H2owoKno3n3AJivgOQc0D0LVaDwszo-pB-6xg4hDclAX26JGRUEHiParMbD/s1600/smashcakeshoottext.jpg" height="423" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Are you ready for a lot of pictures? Good. Here we go!<br />
<br />
Here's the cake before the action:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPnQG-CB9YZtnaEqNoU6MUSE4hv292IHnbI0nYeQ6BrciiNpF48Gne5baaaYaGk-tEJIfinheU8ofcbY-kXHnHfnsLTn2fRGwHIbmdXDMquCblb7leP0ANsSwKbdJ6kI8bGI3pzWyEKsC/s1600/cakecloseupcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPnQG-CB9YZtnaEqNoU6MUSE4hv292IHnbI0nYeQ6BrciiNpF48Gne5baaaYaGk-tEJIfinheU8ofcbY-kXHnHfnsLTn2fRGwHIbmdXDMquCblb7leP0ANsSwKbdJ6kI8bGI3pzWyEKsC/s1600/cakecloseupcrop.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Sam started out pretty timidly</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQu2QSxNgxYv7CfYU-HRTsWIngfa1p3FD_jKRlrhQCcf1omHL11ZhgJfKHMJ4vgAdRcCS91OVL3MzzICk7IwqrRO13J9cyzvGOarvFsl_QdW8C8qn4MNX_67BrpexrQK1akX456h6RJ2D/s1600/cakepoke1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiQu2QSxNgxYv7CfYU-HRTsWIngfa1p3FD_jKRlrhQCcf1omHL11ZhgJfKHMJ4vgAdRcCS91OVL3MzzICk7IwqrRO13J9cyzvGOarvFsl_QdW8C8qn4MNX_67BrpexrQK1akX456h6RJ2D/s1600/cakepoke1.jpg" height="640" width="423" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3B1oAV_Pp9Nl_fBFcBUyePhtikLd_J1t_gHY4mWGFw1waIwvPfSGuQaEXS1_huDoxi7_U_wR7JjeGAhJa_wsQH530pUVpZa6Q-LomE9RSKFtH3h5QDX_zoJasxVjtzUsuAoXd-zL-lPC/s1600/DSC_7768+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3B1oAV_Pp9Nl_fBFcBUyePhtikLd_J1t_gHY4mWGFw1waIwvPfSGuQaEXS1_huDoxi7_U_wR7JjeGAhJa_wsQH530pUVpZa6Q-LomE9RSKFtH3h5QDX_zoJasxVjtzUsuAoXd-zL-lPC/s1600/DSC_7768+copy.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhFnNdPnnK18H_v0bUPicbYqyHTIs8LH5DHoPKanMKBMSQqo6kCiGUQWQQKfqfeIAdMyEa6FWHMp1_dnxl6b6a-b_dga6TiDdVEctIt7EGG8RbzImyfTjo_05YsSU2z_oZl2QbAWzIQKB/s1600/DSC_7763+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhFnNdPnnK18H_v0bUPicbYqyHTIs8LH5DHoPKanMKBMSQqo6kCiGUQWQQKfqfeIAdMyEa6FWHMp1_dnxl6b6a-b_dga6TiDdVEctIt7EGG8RbzImyfTjo_05YsSU2z_oZl2QbAWzIQKB/s1600/DSC_7763+copy.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMW6Say4MR2Vc-Y724qZ3z8iuMb1RUdKzcFAtLe_CAGTdczSs76BaprYLriBmMtoVgASemMyV0N2XgoT6QI0dI8LjQsIi7efrfYnERGZi_0iYL1nLdq_8XfLunRU-rvAASPAc-l5wYG2k/s1600/DSC_7781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfMW6Say4MR2Vc-Y724qZ3z8iuMb1RUdKzcFAtLe_CAGTdczSs76BaprYLriBmMtoVgASemMyV0N2XgoT6QI0dI8LjQsIi7efrfYnERGZi_0iYL1nLdq_8XfLunRU-rvAASPAc-l5wYG2k/s1600/DSC_7781.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But after I pinched off a piece of the cake for him to try he started to get a little more enthusiastic.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLyHDIYbZ6B9dN1VZV7Xbyooi4ydmt7HOAQ2fpfS5y23cr1aKi_XlLCqH6NExqRtsZFsJtqcmsjpbduDSUEBXThaEOPXky6a_rfWyNb9SWwFrLOcD2xyXyKCFI0R_lj7_3Ov2am1YcUTa/s1600/DSC_7795+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLyHDIYbZ6B9dN1VZV7Xbyooi4ydmt7HOAQ2fpfS5y23cr1aKi_XlLCqH6NExqRtsZFsJtqcmsjpbduDSUEBXThaEOPXky6a_rfWyNb9SWwFrLOcD2xyXyKCFI0R_lj7_3Ov2am1YcUTa/s1600/DSC_7795+copy.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fZtEHel0yMZyoOJTp89Akz8kYfDo9JUavmALkbgb2Wz-BLvbuDwo2N5GwBbnfl5FZxJ9Q6d9WtJ1EC3qF2vcsMwyfTIUojS-NZ9wS2HzkSelnB1WGT62UENUWtR1xfBURtQA7TT2fye4/s1600/DSC_7806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1fZtEHel0yMZyoOJTp89Akz8kYfDo9JUavmALkbgb2Wz-BLvbuDwo2N5GwBbnfl5FZxJ9Q6d9WtJ1EC3qF2vcsMwyfTIUojS-NZ9wS2HzkSelnB1WGT62UENUWtR1xfBURtQA7TT2fye4/s1600/DSC_7806.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlPY5QMvvX6HVPUHzRFnV9Fswi-AObZFtBuHJ4A20GWGlANd8qt4y5IJZWB9IJ3G2aDzG3RV2ChlcMvMZmuW-AF149A9DgWkbM8O3Ia_raiBlIktbSu1bdTpafqKQib7roW8XuCYaqCgc/s1600/DSC_7723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlPY5QMvvX6HVPUHzRFnV9Fswi-AObZFtBuHJ4A20GWGlANd8qt4y5IJZWB9IJ3G2aDzG3RV2ChlcMvMZmuW-AF149A9DgWkbM8O3Ia_raiBlIktbSu1bdTpafqKQib7roW8XuCYaqCgc/s1600/DSC_7723.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLyHDIYbZ6B9dN1VZV7Xbyooi4ydmt7HOAQ2fpfS5y23cr1aKi_XlLCqH6NExqRtsZFsJtqcmsjpbduDSUEBXThaEOPXky6a_rfWyNb9SWwFrLOcD2xyXyKCFI0R_lj7_3Ov2am1YcUTa/s1600/DSC_7795+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLyHDIYbZ6B9dN1VZV7Xbyooi4ydmt7HOAQ2fpfS5y23cr1aKi_XlLCqH6NExqRtsZFsJtqcmsjpbduDSUEBXThaEOPXky6a_rfWyNb9SWwFrLOcD2xyXyKCFI0R_lj7_3Ov2am1YcUTa/s1600/DSC_7795+copy.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Pretty soon, he was going at it!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2VCS-s_JlpF7so_R9J99Wp_eqiF0n27MN3YR1XtxZ6opxBbkknFXl4uTUyPlhWRWT6zdh5AoMqG3eerHUqwYLBnrtojP6X1lK9Q73c2Ej2i1-Z_XlWvDpg-26mU86A2_Rw4im4XYbI-f/s1600/DSC_7799+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2VCS-s_JlpF7so_R9J99Wp_eqiF0n27MN3YR1XtxZ6opxBbkknFXl4uTUyPlhWRWT6zdh5AoMqG3eerHUqwYLBnrtojP6X1lK9Q73c2Ej2i1-Z_XlWvDpg-26mU86A2_Rw4im4XYbI-f/s1600/DSC_7799+copy.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijISlSokD85dYndOBsJp0l8syNtEYGTFmmODA_t43HuOuPQWawm6ha2C19mW1J1CugVp9xZ3cG6r3KjLEAbpWNimtkmsRuujj1_KIq1DO-JN0tV8Pc0HiJJaMoHMC7-KvKwSVJX4rqdas/s1600/lick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijISlSokD85dYndOBsJp0l8syNtEYGTFmmODA_t43HuOuPQWawm6ha2C19mW1J1CugVp9xZ3cG6r3KjLEAbpWNimtkmsRuujj1_KIq1DO-JN0tV8Pc0HiJJaMoHMC7-KvKwSVJX4rqdas/s1600/lick.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9tu58lvEgnysK4shVUWmtm5ohH8vpH1OwzBQDzFMJg5sT-XeLPAs4Z5W3UariRL4-DjAQHVAxSEtfMgjg-YX1yVbZU8tKQVQmANqsBjgUVLJQkiDM5Or3ocNWQcGFNdEIQq1DFrMOq58/s1600/DSC_7813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC9tu58lvEgnysK4shVUWmtm5ohH8vpH1OwzBQDzFMJg5sT-XeLPAs4Z5W3UariRL4-DjAQHVAxSEtfMgjg-YX1yVbZU8tKQVQmANqsBjgUVLJQkiDM5Or3ocNWQcGFNdEIQq1DFrMOq58/s1600/DSC_7813.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpinRk5E7onpCfkYppctbpV0DKYObIC3grXQnig8eVgMr85xSiYJkJ2bxoNVxoVajqZ3efvxnTMFeB3YsDWgA7aUDQqF5vZ4HyZU65nkNh-QiRDn1G3APImvTUgMyWbPxZWxGmC_6bBtXg/s1600/DSC_7827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpinRk5E7onpCfkYppctbpV0DKYObIC3grXQnig8eVgMr85xSiYJkJ2bxoNVxoVajqZ3efvxnTMFeB3YsDWgA7aUDQqF5vZ4HyZU65nkNh-QiRDn1G3APImvTUgMyWbPxZWxGmC_6bBtXg/s1600/DSC_7827.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...and then he dumped the cake onto his lap, and later the floor!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLTh22di4Xq35VS_X-kpOetguGp6Jo-s0ZzHCFsvaTSuTC8DmwbmkZPNNzAM-ITsbhn8zK9GRuLkchwS1IAFhwAzGxSVIFxZcCGRglasYCAV_EZimR8vTBCDNgIaE-C8eFEAo992G1U-H/s1600/DSC_7908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLTh22di4Xq35VS_X-kpOetguGp6Jo-s0ZzHCFsvaTSuTC8DmwbmkZPNNzAM-ITsbhn8zK9GRuLkchwS1IAFhwAzGxSVIFxZcCGRglasYCAV_EZimR8vTBCDNgIaE-C8eFEAo992G1U-H/s1600/DSC_7908.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeBQjgmtDJrVxsqcA-eZ-7WFGUDvZ8y7M8BKVwrHUB1bSHkh19cnRsrdwK9LJr-B4KpwtBCWPrmM2SoGlQY6h8to47YCYKsefOuTgdqTZC3g1kQsBPCjktCFUD2JhlM3bAP9Y4wKv5JMh/s1600/DSC_7876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeBQjgmtDJrVxsqcA-eZ-7WFGUDvZ8y7M8BKVwrHUB1bSHkh19cnRsrdwK9LJr-B4KpwtBCWPrmM2SoGlQY6h8to47YCYKsefOuTgdqTZC3g1kQsBPCjktCFUD2JhlM3bAP9Y4wKv5JMh/s1600/DSC_7876.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vh30FXEpUdQt_7zYiGT5EMFDOfH43DFVu8BDEUA9TPqJ1Bpcx6CQPSjDbBO8uJtPdZJ9ivOnii48oabKBdVCTeug5Y3a3k3Ndh1XJ458Y35fMVMT0GI7gUFP3d823Do6kqwiFfmZpAzN/s1600/DSC_7915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vh30FXEpUdQt_7zYiGT5EMFDOfH43DFVu8BDEUA9TPqJ1Bpcx6CQPSjDbBO8uJtPdZJ9ivOnii48oabKBdVCTeug5Y3a3k3Ndh1XJ458Y35fMVMT0GI7gUFP3d823Do6kqwiFfmZpAzN/s1600/DSC_7915.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDB-z5EIE1yO_lRBisnQPJjJvkGHPJjTrdOS-RPue9fs2r1qS2apU1d2w4G-kt-mKeWD3KUA8EZoIUHybcYsORUfXI1z29ICaIOeXkP8fj92dYcLmtaVu9RZ7x1f-woCO6uFjfJ6yU-wPO/s1600/DSC_7934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDB-z5EIE1yO_lRBisnQPJjJvkGHPJjTrdOS-RPue9fs2r1qS2apU1d2w4G-kt-mKeWD3KUA8EZoIUHybcYsORUfXI1z29ICaIOeXkP8fj92dYcLmtaVu9RZ7x1f-woCO6uFjfJ6yU-wPO/s1600/DSC_7934.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Look, Mom, CAKE!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexstXFmBl-UTutNAvndmiPMuDpqEZzK0TBPuvo0N6tA69R_NdU2GOi_HdxFL3lCw8CwNEM9unfRv4wEce3A7m9uUoV032Vqu7ejwx-aj1R5m2GLY6blB8mJoLinED5CdU5iIMndptSCHJ/s1600/DSC_7943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiexstXFmBl-UTutNAvndmiPMuDpqEZzK0TBPuvo0N6tA69R_NdU2GOi_HdxFL3lCw8CwNEM9unfRv4wEce3A7m9uUoV032Vqu7ejwx-aj1R5m2GLY6blB8mJoLinED5CdU5iIMndptSCHJ/s1600/DSC_7943.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Thanks for reading. Bye, bye!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BGLgc4E8Og0DhAM9Oyw3PwrmC9JJupM3zPPGd8yZQ1eVqQxmb3L4e6k2PiGROO7jWq7r6bbFHbS5F6YeoajakksIslM2SZd_CXb7ikiQjNnPF-wxDRf4dNkH1CjYRa7klX-tyHpBxr3Z/s1600/DSC_7778+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9BGLgc4E8Og0DhAM9Oyw3PwrmC9JJupM3zPPGd8yZQ1eVqQxmb3L4e6k2PiGROO7jWq7r6bbFHbS5F6YeoajakksIslM2SZd_CXb7ikiQjNnPF-wxDRf4dNkH1CjYRa7klX-tyHpBxr3Z/s1600/DSC_7778+copy.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
If you want to see the healthy (ish) recipe I used for the cake, <a href="http://2timothy18.blogspot.com/2015/02/healthy-smash-cake-recipe.html">click here.</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Soon, I'll be posting about Sam's first birthday party!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just in case you were wondering, the backdrop is made from dollar store crepe paper streamers and ribbon from my craft box. I reused it at the birthday party.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMe6nxEi9xQOVkS4akGtzz8ry6yN1j93ACZU-gdkp9uIf7xwDIAXHyluaImnC8uamc7RyRl4ifVeNExYbPa4ooyUrhr9yHoUp7v0hI55aGWWvRoVWERpoMnoVv5mBkoDcC-xSCkpSNags/s1600/LONGPINTERESTBANNER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuMe6nxEi9xQOVkS4akGtzz8ry6yN1j93ACZU-gdkp9uIf7xwDIAXHyluaImnC8uamc7RyRl4ifVeNExYbPa4ooyUrhr9yHoUp7v0hI55aGWWvRoVWERpoMnoVv5mBkoDcC-xSCkpSNags/s1600/LONGPINTERESTBANNER.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-48063109725725939942015-02-17T19:37:00.002-08:002015-02-17T19:38:27.649-08:00Samuel's Favorite Things// First Birthday Update<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Samuel is one year old! He is the cutest little thing you have ever seen and I am so grateful to be his mommy! This has been at the same time the hardest and most beautiful and rewarding year of my life. From 1am (and two, and three, and four am) feedings, to his first time laughing, to clapping for himself and playing hide and seek, it has been a growing year for all of us.<br />
<br />
Sam now attempts to stand on his own (though it never lasts long) and absolutely loves walking while holding onto our hands. He tries very hard to climb up onto everything, and the things he can't get on top of by himself, he will try to get down from. My least favorite of these high places is the changing table. Though he usually tries to go down "feet first" like he's been taught, it's still too high, and usually at a very inconvenient time that he tries.<br />
<br />
He loves eating! He's doing pretty well with trying new fruits but still doesn't like carrots. Go figure. He will eat his produce and oatmeal mixed together in his little squeezy bags, but his favorite food is probably cheddar cheese. He also loves the little muffins I made from the remnants of his smash cake batter. I may have to make another batch for him! He hasn't quite figured out how to used his teeth yet (of which there are now three!) but he does a pretty good job of mashing things with his tongue before he swallows them.<br />
<br />
Samuel still loves to play peekaboo. Now, instead of just using a blanket, he will put his hands over his eyes to hide! He's so smart, and I am very proud. He also likes to play a hybrid between peekaboo and hide and seek. He will crawl away as quickly as he can and go into one of the bedroom where he will promptly shut the door and only open it when we wonder aloud, "where's Sam?" He then giggles mischievously and opens the door, but will shut it again if you get any closer. It's darling. He also likes it if we hide from him.<br />
<br />
His favorite words to say are "dada" and "uh-huh," from which the rest of his vocabulary is made up, with different inflections. He understands quite a few words, though. He get's really excited when I say "all done!" after a meal and he get's to leave his high chair. He'll clasp his hands in the ASL sign for "amen" at the end of prayers, and he'll snuggle up or give great big slobbery kisses if I ask for hugs or kisses. He can also wave hello and goodbye, "tickle" (face plant) our tummies, and laughs at silly noises.<br />
<br />
His favorite song right now is "the wise man and the foolish man" from our church. It's a kids song about a parable from the New Testament with great hand motions. This is how we keep him occupied during diaper changes and car seat buckling. His favorite book is still Moo, Baa, Lalala by Sandra Boynton, though he now appreciates almost any book. He loves turning the pages himself, and will sometimes sit by himself and babble as he "reads" books to himself. It is so darling!He likes to dance to music (and be applauded for it) and sometimes will try to sing along. I love that.<br />
<br />
He is really good at going down for bed now. He has started wanting to go to sleep with a stuffed animal, which he will snuggle up with after we lay him down. He doesn't cry at bed time anymore and sleeps through the night most of the time. It's glorious! He has also gotten himself on a regular nap and sleep schedule. It's fantastic. He's always tired at the same time now, which makes planning my day so much easier!<br />
<br />
My favorite thing is having him see me and have his face break into a grin and reach for me. This is even better when he rests his head on my shoulder and just snuggles for a brief moment. He often does this for his daddy, too, and it absolutely melts my heart.<br />
<br />
I am so grateful for Samuel. He has taught me so much, and I am so glad that he came to our family. I love him, and I am grateful to my Father in Heaven for giving him to me!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYqsfpJtIkDbnbHl7fzA5cUK1AUfYbtK2v-cGE8hoxXthaYGCwntpKF0iryqoAqe4HYcTh4KjGHnMumYLQ4R_IjLg_fDfYYq7elM8mZGUKEDOvPO4_mRrPPjubcZ6w_JeMvcShPc_Dlg6/s1600/DSC_7677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdUKyqDknbOOX4nPdY5Y12FJGGGjWB-lSQcbkCo66wPiVYUApibqqkUtbV4mUcdPFjrcMEWsLj_0zJGBtvRJUQdTaPe3oMHVkzBUVn0Ra7xlbqhkni7-brxEbni3fvrRd1vwLWpMewENB/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxdUKyqDknbOOX4nPdY5Y12FJGGGjWB-lSQcbkCo66wPiVYUApibqqkUtbV4mUcdPFjrcMEWsLj_0zJGBtvRJUQdTaPe3oMHVkzBUVn0Ra7xlbqhkni7-brxEbni3fvrRd1vwLWpMewENB/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYqsfpJtIkDbnbHl7fzA5cUK1AUfYbtK2v-cGE8hoxXthaYGCwntpKF0iryqoAqe4HYcTh4KjGHnMumYLQ4R_IjLg_fDfYYq7elM8mZGUKEDOvPO4_mRrPPjubcZ6w_JeMvcShPc_Dlg6/s1600/DSC_7677.jpg" height="400" width="320" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>These pictures were taken one year apart. C</i><i>an you believe how much he's grown?</i> </div>
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-65260636580272468422015-02-17T10:59:00.000-08:002015-02-23T13:01:11.180-08:00Healthy Smash Cake Recipe<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This week was Sam's first birthday! Ever since I heard about smash cakes I've been wanting to do one for him, but I didn't like the idea of feeding him tons of sugar and other things that I haven't really let him eat yet. I know, I'm a hypocrite. I love anything unhealthy (except for twinkies) but I don't want my baby to be the same, so I'm trying to help him eat well. I found this <a href="http://www.fitmamarealfood.com/babys-first-smash-cake-healthy-no-sugar-banana-cake/">recipe</a> over at Fit Mama Real Food and was so excited that it seemed so healthy. I also loved that I could substitute the baby food in my pantry (that Sam is starting to refuse to eat) for several of the ingredients!<br />
Here's how you make it:<br />
<br />
You will need:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMugWte2h6uaBS2LMym3y51NlOtpXIdH7t0FKnc7rz6DmwIrHF2jD4gffDswtus1Y0G3pq7cr-iftPjVHekZFTy_nDrgILIsiwEVKIsh3TCKRv0_-KgDc7L2EDWbJ3KzfFdVw4wrWIg9g2/s1600/DSC_7059+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMugWte2h6uaBS2LMym3y51NlOtpXIdH7t0FKnc7rz6DmwIrHF2jD4gffDswtus1Y0G3pq7cr-iftPjVHekZFTy_nDrgILIsiwEVKIsh3TCKRv0_-KgDc7L2EDWbJ3KzfFdVw4wrWIg9g2/s1600/DSC_7059+copy.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
1 jar of applesauce, 3-4 jars of bananas, 3 tablespoons of melted coconut oil, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 3/4 cup of baby oatmeal cereal, 3/4 cup of whole wheat flour, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.<br />
<i>*all of the jars of baby food that I used are 4 oz</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Mix Bananas and applesauce,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_ye_vg7oBiqCfvuu3pvAYP_qKo7CvgT_mzSfxSMI1qCiTwrfYZQ28-XXsU5Q1B4cpZizh-l5t-0_WerwanH4A10tod5R_WzGw9bm2NWPEqzcXcwyY9KiRqleVutx4cst4xYbI1UhOAnH/s1600/DSC_7091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH_ye_vg7oBiqCfvuu3pvAYP_qKo7CvgT_mzSfxSMI1qCiTwrfYZQ28-XXsU5Q1B4cpZizh-l5t-0_WerwanH4A10tod5R_WzGw9bm2NWPEqzcXcwyY9KiRqleVutx4cst4xYbI1UhOAnH/s1600/DSC_7091.jpg" height="630" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
coconut oil,<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAytyqnR5TnLNxpHWkAfGTd6_s89ytHFsF-Eutlr1yN22FsLhFRpT7OBVGPZKhmfUncjz7k9eOhypI1KTYfj-CglhRleoLifGnHAzAS1GRcXi78LPn73tPDV-K-_qDZsYTwCm_cmpr_Pu8/s1600/DSC_7174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAytyqnR5TnLNxpHWkAfGTd6_s89ytHFsF-Eutlr1yN22FsLhFRpT7OBVGPZKhmfUncjz7k9eOhypI1KTYfj-CglhRleoLifGnHAzAS1GRcXi78LPn73tPDV-K-_qDZsYTwCm_cmpr_Pu8/s1600/DSC_7174.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
and vanilla extract in one bowl.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVMiqpidOdrJ4G2jOY-yy5eLzoFd-guhOieoaHnJEq9wZ9Hllak13afznhyphenhyphen0gQ8Vn6OAJ9EOU5_t5kOcB8HpC_GdtliZlIxlS9gZGoEGc6eJRaaOeJS-sQEQuB-SXIjm0Wpxpo0454OxA/s1600/DSC_7231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVMiqpidOdrJ4G2jOY-yy5eLzoFd-guhOieoaHnJEq9wZ9Hllak13afznhyphenhyphen0gQ8Vn6OAJ9EOU5_t5kOcB8HpC_GdtliZlIxlS9gZGoEGc6eJRaaOeJS-sQEQuB-SXIjm0Wpxpo0454OxA/s1600/DSC_7231.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />
<br />
In a separate bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, and baking soda.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M9yVBVYvJzYFOT2ojudh-HF_U1t9zlrN3dRWXn1rYC3SqCQv6JRfOAsWrg2_t00vF1eIgkXIPKmzYPPPzODeHNWR0cVPxzpjQGXRjXJtJ3HlOeCylQVMguaXaLU5BBNu9gkqS3AeXSeC/s1600/DSC_7364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M9yVBVYvJzYFOT2ojudh-HF_U1t9zlrN3dRWXn1rYC3SqCQv6JRfOAsWrg2_t00vF1eIgkXIPKmzYPPPzODeHNWR0cVPxzpjQGXRjXJtJ3HlOeCylQVMguaXaLU5BBNu9gkqS3AeXSeC/s1600/DSC_7364.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX4KQSJmyZOcdpb9sOr1t1W1knWuAzmSTewuV5MlkL__KS8kHVVMf-0dAnG7Czsjy0WHqKOCWeXY9GQ2hpoemEJ9iNFgZAGqp-dGI4fjuvBQGfwZ7uC2vGEh_sBSU2-KUu3qjWBTD7tQR/s1600/DSC_7399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifX4KQSJmyZOcdpb9sOr1t1W1knWuAzmSTewuV5MlkL__KS8kHVVMf-0dAnG7Czsjy0WHqKOCWeXY9GQ2hpoemEJ9iNFgZAGqp-dGI4fjuvBQGfwZ7uC2vGEh_sBSU2-KUu3qjWBTD7tQR/s1600/DSC_7399.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Grease your baking dishes. (I learned this greasing technique from my mother in law: put some coconut oil into the pan and wipe it around with a paper towel. You can also just use cooking spray.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWlm1USY6YQBF6fibfPdlwzW22uR_pcNITiTbJxuGsnQp4RRRSKan2RmzmS5wJqvZ0Vpr9cJrmfO-KFy6h8yc9KCrUcXD3hveQN-_E-tHeqfycYNV3jZPGFNvt7_AtRxj3d10rRWVcnFD/s1600/DSC_7474+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYWlm1USY6YQBF6fibfPdlwzW22uR_pcNITiTbJxuGsnQp4RRRSKan2RmzmS5wJqvZ0Vpr9cJrmfO-KFy6h8yc9KCrUcXD3hveQN-_E-tHeqfycYNV3jZPGFNvt7_AtRxj3d10rRWVcnFD/s1600/DSC_7474+copy.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_641247786"></span><span id="goog_641247787"></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then pour in your batter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy9NLLAzxv87jHLXC26ITDfYyAPUShfd5yXkSUR3T77O8WJ9tXm7Ych502aWPkDgZWlXOve6XNNyxlmg9tsOfOjznYmVIVGs0CstM-C_oBd1lYtOoff2leJInd-2gamlruy9PAs0PczCA/s1600/DSC_7512+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJy9NLLAzxv87jHLXC26ITDfYyAPUShfd5yXkSUR3T77O8WJ9tXm7Ych502aWPkDgZWlXOve6XNNyxlmg9tsOfOjznYmVIVGs0CstM-C_oBd1lYtOoff2leJInd-2gamlruy9PAs0PczCA/s1600/DSC_7512+copy.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 minutes and allow to cool before frosting. When I took mine out of the pans they started to lose their shape so I popped them back into their dishes and waited until they were room temperature to take them out again and they held up well after that.<br />
<br />
For frosting I used plain greek yogurt (and then went a little crazy with the sprinkles!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPnQG-CB9YZtnaEqNoU6MUSE4hv292IHnbI0nYeQ6BrciiNpF48Gne5baaaYaGk-tEJIfinheU8ofcbY-kXHnHfnsLTn2fRGwHIbmdXDMquCblb7leP0ANsSwKbdJ6kI8bGI3pzWyEKsC/s1600/cakecloseupcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPnQG-CB9YZtnaEqNoU6MUSE4hv292IHnbI0nYeQ6BrciiNpF48Gne5baaaYaGk-tEJIfinheU8ofcbY-kXHnHfnsLTn2fRGwHIbmdXDMquCblb7leP0ANsSwKbdJ6kI8bGI3pzWyEKsC/s1600/cakecloseupcrop.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sam loved it, and he really likes the non-frosted, non-sprinkled muffins a lot as well! For pictures of the smashing, go <a href="http://2timothy18.blogspot.com/2015/02/cake-smash-sneak-peak.html">here,</a> and <a href="http://2timothy18.blogspot.com/2015/02/cake-smashpicture-overload.html">here.</a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Here is a printer-friendly version of the recipe!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ingredients<br />
1 Jar Applesauce<br />
3-4 Jars Banana<br />
3 Tablespoons Coconut Oil (melted)<br />
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract<br />
3/4 Cup Baby Oatmeal Cereal<br />
3/4 Cup of Whole Wheat Flour<br />
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon<br />
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda<br />
<i>*all of the jars of baby food that I used are 4 oz</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Directions<br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mix Bananas, applesauce, coconut oil and vanilla extract in one bowl. (I used five jars of bananas and found it to be too much. I would suggest three or four.)</li>
<li>In a separate bowl, mix together flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, and baking soda.</li>
<li>Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.</li>
<li>Pour batter into greased baking dishes. I used two bowls that were four inches across and filled them two inches deep. I had enough batter left over to make 9 mini muffins for Sam to snack on. </li>
<li>Bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Mine took about 35 minutes to cook. If you're using shallower pans, do less baking time. </li>
<li>Allow to cool before frosting. I would suggest in the pan. When I took mine out they started to lose their shape so I popped them back into their dishes and waited until they were room temperature to take them out again and they held up well after that.</li>
</ol>
<br />
Happy Baking!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHlMG9SkhXEqzkYg7JwqsxuYvIspxo9Lu7kvn68PEFsKio7Vu3627nWqdK8Df8rjw-U-zhXx5v-4pFNM_f1mdLQJLa2dp4WCCFFPKjc1yvySzlS643bQA7eZ_O8-fWgBtDWn8CAwogxzQ/s1600/DSC_7102+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHlMG9SkhXEqzkYg7JwqsxuYvIspxo9Lu7kvn68PEFsKio7Vu3627nWqdK8Df8rjw-U-zhXx5v-4pFNM_f1mdLQJLa2dp4WCCFFPKjc1yvySzlS643bQA7eZ_O8-fWgBtDWn8CAwogxzQ/s1600/DSC_7102+copy.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-55219866017078139512015-02-16T15:36:00.001-08:002015-02-23T12:59:35.488-08:00Cake Smash Sneak Peak<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sam's birthday was yesterday, so we decided to do a smash cake shoot! It's going to take a little while to get all of the pictures edited, but for now, here's a little sneak peak! The recipe we used was pretty tasty, and I'll share that here later as well. (It was a no sugar, no egg recipe!)<br />
<br />
Here we go!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QgX-N14POBrW02ma0Iqfi0IruPHNYiPelkkFPiNDpX4ER5IXt7AiPviv4WYp1TYhU59uk-fxKZP_AcIKXVBTTkRQrrCbeJ8nWqSQDau-mt2BuCgR34os3Em0CE26ldQ2WzUZXJq50pRD/s1600/cakecloseupcrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4QgX-N14POBrW02ma0Iqfi0IruPHNYiPelkkFPiNDpX4ER5IXt7AiPviv4WYp1TYhU59uk-fxKZP_AcIKXVBTTkRQrrCbeJ8nWqSQDau-mt2BuCgR34os3Em0CE26ldQ2WzUZXJq50pRD/s1600/cakecloseupcrop.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>before</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZa7xRLqSs4Mr5UOcTiTfnS6nHmhKp8_jUACA0xsuhnthqwB2L7AoOZM3G0R3cdlFMrj23EwxqYyYM8aWwsnUXNLX7j7ZxCX11FM2SnkV0yfdidNHyzioz7P1JXPqvVQ9vHsVVZqokPso/s1600/cakepoke1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZa7xRLqSs4Mr5UOcTiTfnS6nHmhKp8_jUACA0xsuhnthqwB2L7AoOZM3G0R3cdlFMrj23EwxqYyYM8aWwsnUXNLX7j7ZxCX11FM2SnkV0yfdidNHyzioz7P1JXPqvVQ9vHsVVZqokPso/s1600/cakepoke1.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>what is it?</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOZBAI31bo0BHOqguaoJaZrUB3GXF2zUzLp5SDLgTy9Saih-HoKJE-mEracLrCHFzjznx_f0jv5ykcjPPz3wFAm49zYBlcZJsofkZVLVBWjJZt7J8pFemACdf83VVubHW7eRvXdAHEnhG/s1600/DSC_7677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOZBAI31bo0BHOqguaoJaZrUB3GXF2zUzLp5SDLgTy9Saih-HoKJE-mEracLrCHFzjznx_f0jv5ykcjPPz3wFAm49zYBlcZJsofkZVLVBWjJZt7J8pFemACdf83VVubHW7eRvXdAHEnhG/s1600/DSC_7677.jpg" height="640" width="512" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>he likes it!</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjv7nWNRLnl1d6Uu6ZdnTXzWwvxpMKOe8TG4Y2i0FbRUWPsVhwYUkfm-vt4cS09CnUupnlCUy8T3P9vrkJCk8W9LLppbckrnt8XB1pLeSWK5xQ48nmUAPAsoMVMUhYQFQqYzTKmg2uiaG/s1600/lick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPjv7nWNRLnl1d6Uu6ZdnTXzWwvxpMKOe8TG4Y2i0FbRUWPsVhwYUkfm-vt4cS09CnUupnlCUy8T3P9vrkJCk8W9LLppbckrnt8XB1pLeSWK5xQ48nmUAPAsoMVMUhYQFQqYzTKmg2uiaG/s1600/lick.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>yummy</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMZuzoZm_qFrtMy748PVjGO1TKqx4DPvD-oSV26xa-7WyVmdO8uw57H_zPDUbFM-coSDImYquvEeHZafCvQjcpRYbA_2a0wgZfq1JLhyphenhyphenOg69ibpgmRrumgeEHdr352MpgoeKcinbShR3i/s1600/after-straight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMZuzoZm_qFrtMy748PVjGO1TKqx4DPvD-oSV26xa-7WyVmdO8uw57H_zPDUbFM-coSDImYquvEeHZafCvQjcpRYbA_2a0wgZfq1JLhyphenhyphenOg69ibpgmRrumgeEHdr352MpgoeKcinbShR3i/s1600/after-straight.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>after</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To see <i>a lot</i> more pictures of Samuel's cake smashing, <a href="http://2timothy18.blogspot.com/2015/02/cake-smashpicture-overload.html">click here</a>!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
If you would like the recipe I used for the healthy cake, go <a href="http://2timothy18.blogspot.com/2015/02/healthy-smash-cake-recipe.html">here</a>.</div>
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-51226509206078336422015-02-10T21:13:00.001-08:002015-02-16T15:44:44.588-08:00How We've Built a Fight-Free Marriage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvz-OdMx8W8Y-NFzpvGwx4Lp6YCtNItVklgIXQqXdO3md3ZkAiOU27vxTBxZb0icJUhyErp8MuTA4jubDdc9loKxGSa4LirZhEwD4uVy-uHdgvWftxRxa6efOPjyYQm6uxYA9TMBucu9_L/s1600/Stein_WD_101b_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvz-OdMx8W8Y-NFzpvGwx4Lp6YCtNItVklgIXQqXdO3md3ZkAiOU27vxTBxZb0icJUhyErp8MuTA4jubDdc9loKxGSa4LirZhEwD4uVy-uHdgvWftxRxa6efOPjyYQm6uxYA9TMBucu9_L/s1600/Stein_WD_101b_2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I've asked myself many times why my husband and I don't fight. (And honestly, we have never fought.) My answer used to be "because we love each other," but I know that some couples who love each other <i>do</i> fight. So what's the difference for us? I think it boils down to a quote by Gordon B Hinckley: "<i>True</i> love is not so much a matter of romance, but of anxious concern for the well being of one's companion." It's about putting your spouse's happiness and well being above your own.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Romance is exhilarating and wonderful--it's a key factor in falling in love--but that's not all that love is. That initial excitement can ebb and flow. It's hard to have that newlywed-giddiness for very long once life starts happening, but if your focus and concern is more for your spouse's well being, and less for your need to be wooed, then it's easy to love and serve them. You're less likely to say something offensive, or to take offense at something that your spouse might say if you're thinking of their happiness first.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Cameron and I have had disagreements, and we've had moments of hurt. There have been times when we have accidentally said or done things that upset the other, but we've always chosen to be kind and understanding in those moments. When we see that the other person is upset, we fight the natural inclination to get defensive and instead do what we can to comfort each other and find out what we did wrong and how we can do better in the future.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Common phrases in our day-to-day conversations are "How can I be a better husband/wife?" "What can I do for you?" and "How can I help you be happy today?" When the other person answers, we try hard to remember what they say and to do it. Putting our focus on the other person helps us to focus less on ourselves or our wants, and more on our spouse's needs.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
If we have needs we make them known so that our spouse can help us fill them, but we try to do more for the other person. In doing this, we have pretty much eliminated any desire to fight or hurt each other emotionally.<br />
<br />
This selfless love is what enables us to work through disagreements and misunderstandings peacefully and happily. Our marriage is not perfect--sometimes we make mistakes or get upset with each other; but because we value each other's happiness we let go of the little things and respectfully and carefully discuss things that shouldn't be ignored.<br />
<br />
Another thing that helps us is prayer. We pray to be better spouses--to be understanding and loving and to be able to recognize each other's needs. We also pray for each other, both in our personal prayers and when we pray as a couple. Praying out loud for each other is very strengthening for our relationship. It is beneficial for the person speaking because as you thank God for the person you love, you think of all the reasons you do love them and your love is deepened. It also grows as you pray for God to help them with their problems and struggles. This helps you to feel compassion for them. Praying for your spouse at all will benefit them, but for them to hear your words of gratitude for them, and your pleas for help on their behalf can help them to see how much you love them, to realize that you listen and care about what they're going through, and can help soften their heart and love you even more.<br />
<br />
Putting God first, and then our spouse's happiness and well being above our own is the best way that my husband and I have found for keeping our marriage happy and strong. Despite some hard life events, our love and marriage continue to grow stronger and deeper every day. I am so grateful for that!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xidoZHJzOeYuXjMFEm2iyOpXWlHV-EVPk4zoH1qa8SvCVwutZa_GVvKU36l94fFfzQ3_M-TvBsShUJ35rMcT4XD5PrMRpG7gpNanRXFLlU7wPCKBbcKCSevtP68sf-Ks65FjNTc3-2as/s1600/Stein_WD_052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xidoZHJzOeYuXjMFEm2iyOpXWlHV-EVPk4zoH1qa8SvCVwutZa_GVvKU36l94fFfzQ3_M-TvBsShUJ35rMcT4XD5PrMRpG7gpNanRXFLlU7wPCKBbcKCSevtP68sf-Ks65FjNTc3-2as/s1600/Stein_WD_052.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-8961209073408182592015-01-27T14:17:00.002-08:002015-01-27T14:17:39.858-08:00Family Portraits<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We took some family portraits earlier this year. We were pleasantly surprised at how well they turned out because we just put our camera up on a tripod and used the timer and took 5 shots at a time. It worked really well, for the most part.<br /><br />While we were getting the settings right on the camera Sam just wanted to eat the leaves. I had to rescue quite a few.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BGNly08paliAdj-EMLdaoFSujQ0zyDz9zsTIFxxhtEWczZqrYBFuGggToLBFN54qRRYrYP2nPmJkCEu9mpUZz4dhlfwwP0SHW_TbawFwjCzmy9tcIAMccZUEWnamiPTDVqsPZhzRDh9W/s1600/DSC_6129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1BGNly08paliAdj-EMLdaoFSujQ0zyDz9zsTIFxxhtEWczZqrYBFuGggToLBFN54qRRYrYP2nPmJkCEu9mpUZz4dhlfwwP0SHW_TbawFwjCzmy9tcIAMccZUEWnamiPTDVqsPZhzRDh9W/s1600/DSC_6129.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0GZfhb3bFsWg-caScF6sxsRj9gC4UOP06Ayugc4tZRKqsroc3RLOu9JVEPPcD2B9_viWBm4HIhugDBkLLJsrtaE5eyDB1CkUyfX2A9h8AfkXOo7Ba8xRdrU9TkvNyf5I5bhg0gkKEj_0/s1600/DSC_6163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI0GZfhb3bFsWg-caScF6sxsRj9gC4UOP06Ayugc4tZRKqsroc3RLOu9JVEPPcD2B9_viWBm4HIhugDBkLLJsrtaE5eyDB1CkUyfX2A9h8AfkXOo7Ba8xRdrU9TkvNyf5I5bhg0gkKEj_0/s1600/DSC_6163.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
But once we started taking pictures he was a great sport!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighmMUHqG0wqmlolbOckix3yr1QO3nrdKFsinjLf4qtCtDMtMN57whNe23RraXIeLoHAzJ-Rx2FYlf7MO_lTif-TBvZD4UrYslrVER2kXvESWS3EQ0jG5ZkPTk7u7Vp6hTZaLK_fv5tTbf/s1600/DSC_6140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighmMUHqG0wqmlolbOckix3yr1QO3nrdKFsinjLf4qtCtDMtMN57whNe23RraXIeLoHAzJ-Rx2FYlf7MO_lTif-TBvZD4UrYslrVER2kXvESWS3EQ0jG5ZkPTk7u7Vp6hTZaLK_fv5tTbf/s1600/DSC_6140.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gSE1HKEo9ZwfvUEp35UYtw4dF1JjsbwQmUXHUhj7LjAPnbKx5Jri3iX0aIdAhiDfC9S7KjAz61R6F3Vt7luzTO3rz70ZMdj_-EZw1DdPhlPMD188GjX_ZgxfD-ZLXIpeB5esWdbUJksc/s1600/DSC_6201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gSE1HKEo9ZwfvUEp35UYtw4dF1JjsbwQmUXHUhj7LjAPnbKx5Jri3iX0aIdAhiDfC9S7KjAz61R6F3Vt7luzTO3rz70ZMdj_-EZw1DdPhlPMD188GjX_ZgxfD-ZLXIpeB5esWdbUJksc/s1600/DSC_6201.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG8TEW-vm0WmijZfysRgPgTs2H-UDVZfLIyyxSKE61ho86NDFwIJNuIMqWICpETXNKW56fnjPuvYIfguj8f9kOReSj7lEaTpGoC2s-0ZT1qhKWtaU2faibfFKOpfo4cg8xKBqMN5zfllV/s1600/DSC_6157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuG8TEW-vm0WmijZfysRgPgTs2H-UDVZfLIyyxSKE61ho86NDFwIJNuIMqWICpETXNKW56fnjPuvYIfguj8f9kOReSj7lEaTpGoC2s-0ZT1qhKWtaU2faibfFKOpfo4cg8xKBqMN5zfllV/s1600/DSC_6157.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7hMx002iKtMQ_xPEiZ_8M5L1dP_DAlX6HWBHPA-j19ecdk8S-NWORWUjdO-wXUEQum4uDweogCysSOmZqHNjkwiVoQXa4wUm8tcdac1vfvYDvvkihbq-RTiTnPtHXFM0zSoMK-5xzoZd/s1600/DSC_6186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7hMx002iKtMQ_xPEiZ_8M5L1dP_DAlX6HWBHPA-j19ecdk8S-NWORWUjdO-wXUEQum4uDweogCysSOmZqHNjkwiVoQXa4wUm8tcdac1vfvYDvvkihbq-RTiTnPtHXFM0zSoMK-5xzoZd/s1600/DSC_6186.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
During the pictures of just Cameron and I, Samuel sat in his stroller nearby so happily.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34yK9zpgOJN9E1FtEpUUirG9Qs6AMRPMJCKmZi0u4KSwvI-iVTjZj3dbKZXv9hhjPrq0wZ7Llalwl-04FgrbO9Bhb8s36slnGgVTIepi5HW_L69GaViNPJzE0C3dvzwvfMir2NpYt7Oj/s1600/DSC_6295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-34yK9zpgOJN9E1FtEpUUirG9Qs6AMRPMJCKmZi0u4KSwvI-iVTjZj3dbKZXv9hhjPrq0wZ7Llalwl-04FgrbO9Bhb8s36slnGgVTIepi5HW_L69GaViNPJzE0C3dvzwvfMir2NpYt7Oj/s1600/DSC_6295.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We took him to the playground afterwards and I rode down the slide with him and we continued to take some pictures while he played. He liked those a lot more than the posed ones.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eCiea7f0-2cCHgNcrtW9NlzTwYyWtrGLfidZmQn7wZ5eigkMU9FhUjOTwgdeXJNATnZbTrGxQmN-WWB7VlPdDb9sJVIEDii8HV2ALmxWXVLBgqsB1bfgFX45Oc1Y-tb1AeYR51YTD-TV/s1600/DSC_6323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eCiea7f0-2cCHgNcrtW9NlzTwYyWtrGLfidZmQn7wZ5eigkMU9FhUjOTwgdeXJNATnZbTrGxQmN-WWB7VlPdDb9sJVIEDii8HV2ALmxWXVLBgqsB1bfgFX45Oc1Y-tb1AeYR51YTD-TV/s1600/DSC_6323.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9DjnqgLXqN2MVbvSTNp_qK6vfFBUkvkyx9n_YTCw_RORAEKDYgb_2rLdyyiW6oEUQMptRBpfGPvrS_xLmtwA-9ty-7lhK0nGJSaMP92AT7LoM7sBL121HlUrwdpeLqPy1wS6Hp94tcrB/s1600/DSC_6365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9DjnqgLXqN2MVbvSTNp_qK6vfFBUkvkyx9n_YTCw_RORAEKDYgb_2rLdyyiW6oEUQMptRBpfGPvrS_xLmtwA-9ty-7lhK0nGJSaMP92AT7LoM7sBL121HlUrwdpeLqPy1wS6Hp94tcrB/s1600/DSC_6365.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxgnwaBqxoPzClVPNlgiANLKB_FvjGQQv1lxPMJ5WQXlGvS-pcN67ImC2BiGmKL8hV-EjcQ8RBYSpt9TkoYvmv5TABOsAnF6hmXGAC7IoVs1IZv8Wb77dxKBz7VhR22uGLprWI50_7lIP/s1600/DSC_6328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxgnwaBqxoPzClVPNlgiANLKB_FvjGQQv1lxPMJ5WQXlGvS-pcN67ImC2BiGmKL8hV-EjcQ8RBYSpt9TkoYvmv5TABOsAnF6hmXGAC7IoVs1IZv8Wb77dxKBz7VhR22uGLprWI50_7lIP/s1600/DSC_6328.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksEppp7TTz04K3gDQxHh1Cc2fAipPCSinTgg2T7lcLhe2jul7OrfHkxqWMCkEfX7WUESbIH2L_BIpxD6hLDNtrUbLu9BLxs53WjQGBhkPn9dEqbQeiHrUx4s71gUtPlNo1b10Z42CKCtB/s1600/DSC_6364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgksEppp7TTz04K3gDQxHh1Cc2fAipPCSinTgg2T7lcLhe2jul7OrfHkxqWMCkEfX7WUESbIH2L_BIpxD6hLDNtrUbLu9BLxs53WjQGBhkPn9dEqbQeiHrUx4s71gUtPlNo1b10Z42CKCtB/s1600/DSC_6364.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-66602801103429128602015-01-26T08:50:00.000-08:002015-01-26T08:50:29.472-08:00Park City Picnic<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One day last October we decided we needed a vacation, so we took the morning and drove up to Park City for a picnic. The weather was beautiful, the fall colors were amazing. It's such a beautiful place!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaknJTxH-X7WMCQnlKsA247Y9RAA_ua-j8oXA_V3WRm7ok0tpMmrh9Fo6fs1YrIEwd5ADxosuKFsi9ZlEf-cZXmMregTOGT-qmtZFBnp67T0uCnh7quOX1ZdldgbYihh4mxna8jHiKnNKS/s1600/DSC_5732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaknJTxH-X7WMCQnlKsA247Y9RAA_ua-j8oXA_V3WRm7ok0tpMmrh9Fo6fs1YrIEwd5ADxosuKFsi9ZlEf-cZXmMregTOGT-qmtZFBnp67T0uCnh7quOX1ZdldgbYihh4mxna8jHiKnNKS/s1600/DSC_5732.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-69ePq813WxYEEC3K2xIUbOBHMCW8mSfOIFPm2PijIj7JAyUmG8IdQbp10gNdUgOGHCVv60TxbOEQtek26wIpJNB6oRll2zzTidtUADKW8CU-3Y4eYvkCdFu2ep1BvSc8X9gZhwobSk_h/s1600/DSC_5737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-69ePq813WxYEEC3K2xIUbOBHMCW8mSfOIFPm2PijIj7JAyUmG8IdQbp10gNdUgOGHCVv60TxbOEQtek26wIpJNB6oRll2zzTidtUADKW8CU-3Y4eYvkCdFu2ep1BvSc8X9gZhwobSk_h/s1600/DSC_5737.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioaVdpCFiRsUy_PreznFWVU6w7gd-kOrdK_JR2kyDC3lUtWsr7Y3HP8wygyb4RRm1LAih1zFEOWzC0-Ymi6Rx__l8Gx0bCnlxScl4ifwdU33OgVeRq0OEOOAnEW7oW2AsUbrdfym7w2HW/s1600/DSC_5909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiioaVdpCFiRsUy_PreznFWVU6w7gd-kOrdK_JR2kyDC3lUtWsr7Y3HP8wygyb4RRm1LAih1zFEOWzC0-Ymi6Rx__l8Gx0bCnlxScl4ifwdU33OgVeRq0OEOOAnEW7oW2AsUbrdfym7w2HW/s1600/DSC_5909.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-dkXXKGHD79f3n_4ewq0QZ6ZGHBPMi05kswGhyphenhyphenxx8DyG4OErwanluzlxA0QLyhKPIjUFHRUlTsYzPoNhnh8j40NsPEk1MZnp5wTiZMuCOJekLi1WJTvXZFNXSrKHdGraYL3eOa8mx94t/s1600/DSC_5814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-dkXXKGHD79f3n_4ewq0QZ6ZGHBPMi05kswGhyphenhyphenxx8DyG4OErwanluzlxA0QLyhKPIjUFHRUlTsYzPoNhnh8j40NsPEk1MZnp5wTiZMuCOJekLi1WJTvXZFNXSrKHdGraYL3eOa8mx94t/s1600/DSC_5814.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w9DYAU5bZBD2GfVZkPXJeCSs6jBTk0sVWFnDztlVxgriUciLf_wEqPgZXODTXCw8FJPkoV9btIwkuOjhb-dJUY1J1KraHUO5teEOtNmqnav6WJlu1GefRsrewvM2n6tWC5amSIMKHZVp/s1600/DSC_5816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w9DYAU5bZBD2GfVZkPXJeCSs6jBTk0sVWFnDztlVxgriUciLf_wEqPgZXODTXCw8FJPkoV9btIwkuOjhb-dJUY1J1KraHUO5teEOtNmqnav6WJlu1GefRsrewvM2n6tWC5amSIMKHZVp/s1600/DSC_5816.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4o1G6Shu9NdEcInAqo87uE2X1mE4rS8QUn14mUhaC16O7rMVyQyNMmHi_8K-A47ANnB2IIGGpNpXiPGS8xev88_8TpWunAkFiRl3Kt27wriYaeOgb86B1NT9aiwWTJB0pwMUsJchz8nu/s1600/DSC_5826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4o1G6Shu9NdEcInAqo87uE2X1mE4rS8QUn14mUhaC16O7rMVyQyNMmHi_8K-A47ANnB2IIGGpNpXiPGS8xev88_8TpWunAkFiRl3Kt27wriYaeOgb86B1NT9aiwWTJB0pwMUsJchz8nu/s1600/DSC_5826.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Sam loved it! He had so much fun crawling on the grass and exploring the trails via his stroller.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPoxEBtdtiTmLh2GLx7aXHVo4Z3UTKmvfj9fuQZZAleHiSrH6cWkpDFovzHd-EkUSRez2G_bNRQcSo6lGk4U4-6uYrr7pOUqi3EbxmI55TNOtsLLxLsQgYIWDa9yIv7S3ad4yoWoGDeYy/s1600/DSC_5787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPoxEBtdtiTmLh2GLx7aXHVo4Z3UTKmvfj9fuQZZAleHiSrH6cWkpDFovzHd-EkUSRez2G_bNRQcSo6lGk4U4-6uYrr7pOUqi3EbxmI55TNOtsLLxLsQgYIWDa9yIv7S3ad4yoWoGDeYy/s1600/DSC_5787.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV0Tp_-GG9t_gABgYDUKqAhwiQy5e-UX0Ag36WpInMERo1KN0xCobDONeVzpsm76K_8QxNnsTgGQAIcnTsEmBKRc5sIvu-SIJK1KzI65I1VwbxRsZ-7Ljjwkleuq2CtKDFTELyJdtnHEd/s1600/DSC_5779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNV0Tp_-GG9t_gABgYDUKqAhwiQy5e-UX0Ag36WpInMERo1KN0xCobDONeVzpsm76K_8QxNnsTgGQAIcnTsEmBKRc5sIvu-SIJK1KzI65I1VwbxRsZ-7Ljjwkleuq2CtKDFTELyJdtnHEd/s1600/DSC_5779.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZWG0qvoHRXccyyZtp5gWA1DpAxKFBII-zvTm5gIxBBfj0eBhL0koUqNQ6M1rGGBZWtkQGXs-dxxRCvvEny3QzVWxIJ_aX5cLt48Zd1q-ZE3NoSy1FaDy-6zu9tVbvxl9uZGnU-ehMkEp/s1600/DSC_5795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZWG0qvoHRXccyyZtp5gWA1DpAxKFBII-zvTm5gIxBBfj0eBhL0koUqNQ6M1rGGBZWtkQGXs-dxxRCvvEny3QzVWxIJ_aX5cLt48Zd1q-ZE3NoSy1FaDy-6zu9tVbvxl9uZGnU-ehMkEp/s1600/DSC_5795.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L7bVEe7IALhoksjao6Gkfeqkiz3JaaB9xtAKtrwZxNhwbuzby4UZsnDjD-3THcYPDJNsDmt0fkkKiISuxvLikfnBtRaI3NeqNbRxZf5ZUjAntgAkU1jbJGgV_SUR5NhrNbtR4JEcwnj9/s1600/DSC_5753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5L7bVEe7IALhoksjao6Gkfeqkiz3JaaB9xtAKtrwZxNhwbuzby4UZsnDjD-3THcYPDJNsDmt0fkkKiISuxvLikfnBtRaI3NeqNbRxZf5ZUjAntgAkU1jbJGgV_SUR5NhrNbtR4JEcwnj9/s1600/DSC_5753.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUbq-M2CIWALq1Z1aErspRfvGjE6uWkLugbxETvGroyf3xVVKUv3hCJe5Dcn4EBGrdjrTnqGR9b5zxq11pzEovetOZ0ZVStToIFnDZa1r2brdPfMfAh9qqMjs9L4wLQ6MnEQTY6zdLfco/s1600/DSC_5721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzUbq-M2CIWALq1Z1aErspRfvGjE6uWkLugbxETvGroyf3xVVKUv3hCJe5Dcn4EBGrdjrTnqGR9b5zxq11pzEovetOZ0ZVStToIFnDZa1r2brdPfMfAh9qqMjs9L4wLQ6MnEQTY6zdLfco/s1600/DSC_5721.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QAL_zzLhpUsWWCIEg1ueHMjnGoEUEyfZbHYcboEtD_qX4iJN9EdPfgRNXdBUOC5EcHzWJLNQcHAx9n5PzlqxrrWf18S-9dUIbR2kpa-0I7NtI8bhrcLNe5nachJaH7BBNwc3mgnPW1C_/s1600/DSC_5923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9QAL_zzLhpUsWWCIEg1ueHMjnGoEUEyfZbHYcboEtD_qX4iJN9EdPfgRNXdBUOC5EcHzWJLNQcHAx9n5PzlqxrrWf18S-9dUIbR2kpa-0I7NtI8bhrcLNe5nachJaH7BBNwc3mgnPW1C_/s1600/DSC_5923.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He especially liked their little pond and stream and wanted to play in it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkYcU_GPvwJdKv_xxGurll4pIkrgY33T_FM7e4pidBQTWwQ4F71LderCF5n1gkytoKi-ms57byDrSsGHbXxE8ZIIsxF7ASOdCT6HVj32Im6XasnRVYV71PJeP-IDmNalHtPW9p8odKjKF/s1600/DSC_5855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXkYcU_GPvwJdKv_xxGurll4pIkrgY33T_FM7e4pidBQTWwQ4F71LderCF5n1gkytoKi-ms57byDrSsGHbXxE8ZIIsxF7ASOdCT6HVj32Im6XasnRVYV71PJeP-IDmNalHtPW9p8odKjKF/s1600/DSC_5855.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9Hx-CPUuGf8fFQB0dwhT3XJc78CjOB4KpQtC7UADOlWF1m3wWwhZAJyWDj1VCTV1V6Ab0LsHny0WP25kolLehHYqLRUM4fzmgOCNIkHjZm1s0Lm8pzgbgFcYwJ_Kvqf3Ke3k2abG17PO/s1600/DSC_5863.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9Hx-CPUuGf8fFQB0dwhT3XJc78CjOB4KpQtC7UADOlWF1m3wWwhZAJyWDj1VCTV1V6Ab0LsHny0WP25kolLehHYqLRUM4fzmgOCNIkHjZm1s0Lm8pzgbgFcYwJ_Kvqf3Ke3k2abG17PO/s1600/DSC_5863.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and I got this precious picture of Sam and his Daddy together.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBj_Fzwb7xKq7cQinuE5-pVUnU_QU4wA8LgWpg2R4MkEujDkWJ8SgNUenKvoL4ERuOUaEn3hyphenhyphenVUKk12dSPkgt5J9qyOCvhOCKf127OFhjfozUbshFRSHYf_Dlh-ZcTzgiHTfx9dF-humXn/s1600/DSC_5886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBj_Fzwb7xKq7cQinuE5-pVUnU_QU4wA8LgWpg2R4MkEujDkWJ8SgNUenKvoL4ERuOUaEn3hyphenhyphenVUKk12dSPkgt5J9qyOCvhOCKf127OFhjfozUbshFRSHYf_Dlh-ZcTzgiHTfx9dF-humXn/s1600/DSC_5886.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
(Be very impressed. It took me forever to get the exposure etc right on this one. Cameron's the better photographer of the two of us.)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
We had such a lovely time having a family outing and a half-day vacation. We're so blessed to live so close to such beautiful places like this!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5Yc2p6vuE2VR6Rrcx4Q4IWaSyg627_648eMV0nKZMW2sIUkRAgApeUHTdFqlyI0IPIJzRPSCScioiR76tmn7ih2PjnpJnAUab4aRSMl8PcItN6WRPdkmRH-la_arlKK4jhDu2BgomL9z/s1600/DSC_5931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5Yc2p6vuE2VR6Rrcx4Q4IWaSyg627_648eMV0nKZMW2sIUkRAgApeUHTdFqlyI0IPIJzRPSCScioiR76tmn7ih2PjnpJnAUab4aRSMl8PcItN6WRPdkmRH-la_arlKK4jhDu2BgomL9z/s1600/DSC_5931.JPG" height="422" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-56081868344303623272015-01-20T22:15:00.000-08:002015-01-20T22:15:55.194-08:00Forgiveness is Hard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sometimes there's someone who you haven't seen in two years and you think that you've forgiven them for whatever happened.<br />
<br />
And then you run into them unexpectedly.<br />
<br />
And they insist on standing there awkwardly trying to talk to you, "Wow, has it really been that long... yup... well..."<br />
<br />
And you can't say anything because you're not sure if you want to tell them all the horrible things you thought of saying years ago, or thinking if your husband was there he'd punch this person in the face, or cry because you feel badly for having these mean thoughts when you thought you were over it. And you're hoping that if it gets awkward enough this person will just leave, which they finally do with a "good to see you," which just makes you feel worse for feeling like you're lying when you return the phrase.<br />
<br />
Yeah, this happened to me today.<br />
<br />
And then, I thought of the Savior. He died for this person and loves him just as much as he loves me. I thought of him saying "Of you it is required to forgive all men." (<a href="https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/64.9-11?lang=eng#8">D&C 64</a>) I want to have a softer heart. I want to forgive. I want to be like my Savior. Some people sure make it hard.<br />
Me. <i>I</i> make it hard on myself. No matter what others do to me I need to take responsibility for my feelings as well as my actions.<br />
<br />
Tonight I am praying for a change of heart. I want to be able to forgive. I want to be able to love others. I want to feel that my Savior is proud of me. I want to be my best self.<br />
<br />
I am grateful for the atonement, that it allows me to be able to repent. It helps me to change and grow and put the past behind me. I thank my Father in Heaven for loving me and being patient with my imperfections.<br />
<br />
<img alt="" itemprop="contentURL" src="http://media.ldscdn.org/images/media-library/jesus-christ/woman-taken-in-adultery-948852-gallery.jpg" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: DistrictLight, 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 13px; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;" /><br />
(Image from <a href="https://www.lds.org/media-library/images/woman-taken-in-adultery-948852?lang=eng">LDS Media Library</a>)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.mormon.org/blog/learn-teach-jesus-part-3">Learning to Forgive from the Savior</a><br />
<br />
<i>disclaimer: this story is not about an ex-boyfriend. </i></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-63735706417045559052015-01-17T11:41:00.002-08:002015-01-20T21:36:11.503-08:00Eleven Things About my Eleven-Month-Old!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">It's been so long since I've posted. I tried to take a break from the computer over Christmas break and it was fabulous! And before that was final exams, plus a sick baby, plus getting ready to travel, so.... yeah.</span></div>
<br />
Anyways, happy new year! My baby is <b>eleven.months.old</b>. As in, almost <b>one year</b>! How did this happen? So, to celebrate, here are 11 things about Samuel:<br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Sam loves his new high chair! It makes feeding him solids so much easier and a lot less stressful, so I've been doing better about making sure that he's getting the nutrients he needs. Yesterday he actually asked to get in it! (asked being a strong term. More like "avidly reached for it until I buckled him in and gave him some cheerios.") His favorite solid foods that he's tried are probably scrambled eggs and spaghetti. He likes the taste of bananas but struggles to pick them up on his own so they make him a little frustrated.</li>
<li>He is getting very good at stairs! We don't have any in our apartment, but he will crawl up any stairs he sees! This is a trick he learned over Christmas break and it's so cute to see how excited he gets about being able to navigate them himself.</li>
<li>He's responding more and more to what we say! It's so nice to know that he understands what we're saying. He can now give hugs and kisses (the wonderfully slobbery kind!), plays peekaboo, responds to "hands up," and knows if we say "feet first!" he needs to turn around and not try to dive headlong off of the couch or stairs.</li>
<li>Samuel loves positive reenforcement. If he's doing something that he thinks is difficult or cool, he'll look at other people for acknowledgment. Sometimes he'll even start clapping for himself if he wants applause. He does this most often when he is pushing his new walker or drinking from a straw. It is so sweet!</li>
<li>He dances! He never did it until I showed him a video of his sweet friend Lucy bobbing up and down to music. He looked at her like he was confused, but by the end of the video he had started swinging his arms from side to side. Now he'll often do that or sway side to side when we have music on, or kneel down and bounce.</li>
<li>He's a Tigger, like his daddy :) he always wants a horsey ride, or to jump on the couch, or in his bouncer, or in your arms, or anywhere really. He uses his carseat like a rocking horse when it's inside. He'll also sit up against a wall or the couch and bounce horizontally against it like I did when I was little. Isn't that funny? I don't think we purposefully taught him those things, or showed him how to do them. He just loves bouncing!</li>
<li>He says "Da!" a lot, followed by "na," "ha," and "ma." Because he says it infrequently, it makes it all the more special when he says "mama" and he usually does it in a somewhat appropriate context, which makes me so happy!</li>
<li>His silly teeth still won't come out! The two front ones on the bottom are so close that you can practically see them through his gums, and they're pushing up pretty far, but they just won't break through! I think it's getting pretty uncomfortable because Sam has been a lot more irritable and tired over the last few days than normal.</li>
<li>He loves climbing! He'll climb over or under the bars that attach the legs of our chairs together, tries to get up onto the couch, explores the underside of our coffee table, and even tries to find ways to use multiple objects as a staircase. A few days ago when I was doing some dishes I turned around and he had climbed from his carseat, to a chair, and was trying to get up onto the desk! That little guy is too smart for his own good, but I'm so proud!</li>
<li>One of his newest favorite "toys" are doors. He likes to go into my bedroom and push the door almost shut and then open it again over, and over, and over. He'll sometimes use the door to play peekaboo. He's so sweet! </li>
<li>He also <b>loves</b> baths and showers. Both of his grandma's have very large sinks so he loved taking baths in them over the holidays. We're thinking of doing a bubble bath themed birthday party for him! :)</li>
</ol>
I am so grateful for my sweet little boy, and for the way that he brings so much joy to our lives! It is hard and tiring being a mom and doing school at the same time, but it is also so rewarding! I am also so grateful for Cameron who helps so much with Sam and the house as well as working and doing school full time. He is my hero, and I am so in love with him!<br />
<br />
Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts, encouragement, and help. We love and appreciate you so much!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWPCGzjZTfl-RwD9K4Knpdkm2SUiJnwBW6eu8BTePaUCqPIM6jNgO68t_dLRY8U2SaR_eR62Gs2ewfgAZnwXcRHmaykhU0_OlFGfLoqX1YiLoOVXkgTxOwTi1Cz_ZpZZaV0r106k-_SpI/s1600/IMG_20141215_210546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWPCGzjZTfl-RwD9K4Knpdkm2SUiJnwBW6eu8BTePaUCqPIM6jNgO68t_dLRY8U2SaR_eR62Gs2ewfgAZnwXcRHmaykhU0_OlFGfLoqX1YiLoOVXkgTxOwTi1Cz_ZpZZaV0r106k-_SpI/s1600/IMG_20141215_210546.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXnIoJDBw9qrZOMRCbKu1XQDvdBB6KhnfMmyb2Qn4kd2hnojxZYekT0zAISAJrIU1EhVd7Hn5jlv159TIoBl32VX6fRrJf-gEsTeR5b0bY80paqg0_3UuxotXWi-uEIhBTfiaKEtjic93/s1600/IMG_20141215_165813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXnIoJDBw9qrZOMRCbKu1XQDvdBB6KhnfMmyb2Qn4kd2hnojxZYekT0zAISAJrIU1EhVd7Hn5jlv159TIoBl32VX6fRrJf-gEsTeR5b0bY80paqg0_3UuxotXWi-uEIhBTfiaKEtjic93/s1600/IMG_20141215_165813.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9p6k0xxmaTmcbtMA4HRyxLIqHUds6DGG6wXHphYL7_GrPrqazNVnvs6z7vRGmll57qJwLDHm_EAt2NO1Dl3Lvz09KZoFCVGCSf3dGCil8l9l2vgYLSbEgJZPWXeuuGLvldtRox9zJuoT/s1600/IMG_20141215_164549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9p6k0xxmaTmcbtMA4HRyxLIqHUds6DGG6wXHphYL7_GrPrqazNVnvs6z7vRGmll57qJwLDHm_EAt2NO1Dl3Lvz09KZoFCVGCSf3dGCil8l9l2vgYLSbEgJZPWXeuuGLvldtRox9zJuoT/s1600/IMG_20141215_164549.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-29353423518884626682014-12-11T19:48:00.001-08:002014-12-11T19:48:07.597-08:00Share the Gift<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year. I enjoy the decorations and the snow (that seems to be AWOL this year, at least in Provo). I love seeing little children's excitement building as they wait for Santa and presents, but my favorite part about Christmas is the greater emphasis on the Savior and all that he has done for us. There seems to be a greater sense of love and goodwill among everyone. This year, however, I'm not seeing that as much as I'm used to. In the news there are so many messages of hatred and vengeance and anger. It makes me sad that there is so much suffering and hurt in this world, but especially that people cannot find it in themselves to love each other.<br />
<br />
Mormon.org is doing a campaign this year called "Share the Gift." The point is to share with others the miracle and joy of Christmas: the gift of the Savior and of his love and atonement for us. They are inviting anyone and everyone to print out their sign and share how they will #sharethegift this holiday season. I would invite everyone to do this, and to consider your way of sharing to be "I will love others, even if they are unkind to me." The Savior said, "Love others as I have loved you." He also asked us to "bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Regardless of the pain and persecution we may be going through, the Savior expects us to love each other. That is the gift we can give to him this Christmas, as well as to all the world. It is also the only way that we can end this cycle of hatred. If we refuse to seek revenge, if we do our best to have Christlike thoughts and actions, if we reach out in love to those around us, then we can influence the world for good.<br />
<br />
<div>
Here is my sign. You are welcome to borrow it if you like. If you want to print out your own blank one to fill out, click <a href="http://edge.mormoncdn.org/bc/static/pdf/eng/ShareTheGiftSign.pdf">here.</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDF7-GtRy5tzckBnvzrPxZfakCSl-lcsr9skAFTAtEApkR9mgsBaI6tseEd7lREVY2Uxm8Bj7jZqp0hM51ALvsAirdi8ZcJuvRJuQ12mhdlgeHotaHvHQSX8m2DbcHpXoWTVISt6i6Fs6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-11+at+8.32.32+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmDF7-GtRy5tzckBnvzrPxZfakCSl-lcsr9skAFTAtEApkR9mgsBaI6tseEd7lREVY2Uxm8Bj7jZqp0hM51ALvsAirdi8ZcJuvRJuQ12mhdlgeHotaHvHQSX8m2DbcHpXoWTVISt6i6Fs6/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-12-11+at+8.32.32+PM.png" height="492" width="640" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1862471444"></span><span id="goog_1862471445"></span>If you want to know more about the #ShareTheGift campaign, watch the video below or visit christmas.mormon.org</div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/uzjFEMmM0Xs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<div>
I am so grateful for my Savior; for the sacrifice that he made for me, and for every single person on this Earth. I love him and want so much to be worthy to go back to him. I am grateful for my testimony of his divinity and of his love for me individually. May we all remember to keep the Christ in Christmas.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-45119309318979231432014-11-23T14:43:00.001-08:002014-11-23T14:43:06.262-08:00Remembering Lila<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today marks one year since our grandmother Lila passed away. I miss her so much. She was so full of spunk and life and joy. When I met her she was very sick, but she never let it get her down. She was always looking for ways to serve others and never complained about how awful she was feeling. The first day that I met her we bonded immediately. It was like finding a long-lost sister. We were so comfortable with each other and could talk about anything.<br />
<br />
It breaks my heart sometimes that she left before Sam was born, that he'll never know her in this life, but I feel sure that she was with him before he was born. I like to imagine that she held Sam and his cousins that have passed away all in her arms, singing to and teaching them. I've felt her close many times, and oh, how I miss her. She was such a wonderful example of selflessness and love and I will be forever grateful that I got to know her and be her friend.<br />
<br />
I know that those we love are never far away. I am so grateful for the atonement and for the gospel. I'm grateful for the promise that those who pass away are not gone forever. I'm grateful that through the ordinances in temples we can be with our families forever. What a joyful message that is! I'm thankful for my Savior. for making all of this possible, for loving me and all of us enough to do all he had to to make this a reality.<br />
<br />
I miss you, Grandma! Thank you for watching over our family.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq3p4NG0CotnLqg8lEmqfHVjVMK530Msg0j5RldOSZeL38J1ZNDQQG2LfPQbzGMwHGkdhDUT2Q0nHeKuK2NsaEtbQbHGQjXjUp4eP6XwC1ORyUqDO8EJhDdH56xE2b90KOQLMa0Zus3vr/s1600/angellila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmq3p4NG0CotnLqg8lEmqfHVjVMK530Msg0j5RldOSZeL38J1ZNDQQG2LfPQbzGMwHGkdhDUT2Q0nHeKuK2NsaEtbQbHGQjXjUp4eP6XwC1ORyUqDO8EJhDdH56xE2b90KOQLMa0Zus3vr/s1600/angellila.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-78422597060833331232014-11-19T15:38:00.002-08:002014-11-19T15:38:58.551-08:00Nine Months!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This month has had fewer milestones for Samuel, he's mostly just getting much better at the tricks he's learned previously. He continues to be as cute as ever and make us smile! It's crazy to think that he's been out of my belly as long as he was inside. It's definitely gone much faster than pregnancy did.<br />
<br />
One exciting thing that he is on the verge of figuring out is kissing! I'll kiss him and say "kisses!" and then he will open his mouth wide and suck on my cheek or chin for a moment. It is so sweet. I can't wait until he learns how to blow kisses (he's almost there.)<br />
<br />
He's teething (for real this time! I promise!) and we can start to see his bottom front teeth under his gums. The doctor says they should break through any day. Sam also caught Roseola (a baby virus) earlier this month, which was no fun for him, but we're so glad that he's feeling better now! Even while being sick and teething Sam is full of giggles and smiles and it helps us to get through the harder days.<br />
<br />
He's very patient with my increased homework load recently and enjoys playing in his bouncer. He's also bonded a lot with his daddy and they are closer than ever! It could have something to do with the fact that Sam is less and less interested in nursing, so he takes more bottles, which Cameron can feed him. But whatever the reason, it is so great to see them smiling and playing together. I love my boys.<br />
<br />
In this cold weather Sam has reiterated to us that he dislikes being bundled up, but he's just going to have to deal with it because it has been pretty chilly! Grandma Suzy sent him a very nice snow suit that keeps him nice and cozy when we have to walk around on campus, which unfortunately for Sam, is multiple times a week.<br />
<br />
I am so grateful for my little angel boy and his beautiful smile. He is a constant reminder of the love our God has for us. I'm so grateful for that. I will post pictures soon!</div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-77898392677466353212014-11-19T15:22:00.000-08:002015-01-27T21:55:40.448-08:00Halloween in California<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Halloween weekend we had the great blessing of going to visit family in California! My mom and dad both grew up in the Bay Area, and all of my mom's family lives there now. We flew out <i>early</i> Thursday morning (having spent the night with Cameron's wonderful aunt Lisa since she is much closer to the airport than we are.) Sam fell right back to sleep on the airplane and didn't wake up until we landed! He's so great :)<br />
<br />
We flew with Alaska airlines and they were fantastic! This was our first time flying with them, but if you need to fly with a baby, go with Alaska airlines! You don't need to wait in line with a copy of the birth certificate to get your baby on your boarding pass, they'll check strollers and carseats for free, (if you drop a toy at the baggage check area they might even chase you down after security to give it back to you!). Our first flight was pretty empty so they re-arranged the seating so that we didn't have anyone around us so it wouldn't matter if Sam was wiggly, and they let us board early with him. A flight attendant even came and brought us one of those old fashioned wing pins for Sam.<br />
<br />
When we arrived my Aunt Dana and one of her boys came to pick us up and we went to their house in San Jose. We visited with them for a while before the boys went to school and then we drove to my grandmother's home in Portola Valley. It was so strange being in her home where I had spent so much time as a young child but also being a mother and taking care of Samuel. Definitely a new experience. My uncle came down for lunch with us and then we had the rest of the day to relax, then both my aunts and Dana's husband and boys came over for dinner. (My grandmother is an amazing cook! Everything we ate that week was so delicious.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Di-3uC-gIYruNNLNr_2uwNtzCbzllq8GddDvR68FzL7DGE_DYNzaivQEFLtf-CBVRn9K43jLLcxVicEzvaM5PkSDXOY1GTp-QwgeB-h9VhgAD_tobH6E9taeKLmEcdTS2AvWBeceXE8o/s1600/IMG_3119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Di-3uC-gIYruNNLNr_2uwNtzCbzllq8GddDvR68FzL7DGE_DYNzaivQEFLtf-CBVRn9K43jLLcxVicEzvaM5PkSDXOY1GTp-QwgeB-h9VhgAD_tobH6E9taeKLmEcdTS2AvWBeceXE8o/s1600/IMG_3119.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On Halloween we spent the morning with Grandma and my auntie Andy and got our costumes ready. Grandma's sewing machine wasn't running so I couldn't finish Cameron's costume, but thankfully grandma has an extensive costume collection and we managed to find him something that worked well. In the afternoon we were wanting to go see some sights around town so we drove down to Stanford and saw some other cool things but it was drizzly and cool so we didn't get out and walk around much. We still had quite a bit of time before Dana's boys got home from school so we decided to go walk around Ikea. We love Ikea. There are so many fun ideas for how to make a small space functional. Sam was awake and happy the whole time. He giggled when we spun the cart around and waved at strangers and he absolutely loved the part of the store that was lined with mirrors. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo_cuNa4RHfjyLzWdozbmjQ7ryUrET02zLEBvkUD3TBgU3SforVCz3bo3g0YjR2s4EpktOoVEKAC_EYcwVAL7EA-uzefeAXt0Zj4FKPPFtbhyhM7JfUOdVIPAj_uSbLaGc3P6SVVtbK9s/s1600/IMG_3137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDo_cuNa4RHfjyLzWdozbmjQ7ryUrET02zLEBvkUD3TBgU3SforVCz3bo3g0YjR2s4EpktOoVEKAC_EYcwVAL7EA-uzefeAXt0Zj4FKPPFtbhyhM7JfUOdVIPAj_uSbLaGc3P6SVVtbK9s/s1600/IMG_3137.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Playing at Ikea</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
As the case usually is when we go to Ikea, we spent more time than we meant to, but we got to Dana and Scotts house before the trick-or-treaters started coming and had dinner with them before going out with the boys. Sam was getting sleepy so we didn't walk around for very long. We came back to the house, helped hand out pencils, and read silly baby books by the fireplace.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiauZ-YZjSYK-VADPINN2j7x9vcFYFslnphDQRfXCsXFIFJxG8cbo68mutHA3EmVqRrzrXIXaYTYejoNyoeXQqkcvEeY0pldKYRcTy5Su0-h_PHzjf5yLS3drokKZb1hJtYZgHMj_mUzuX/s1600/IMG_3139.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiauZ-YZjSYK-VADPINN2j7x9vcFYFslnphDQRfXCsXFIFJxG8cbo68mutHA3EmVqRrzrXIXaYTYejoNyoeXQqkcvEeY0pldKYRcTy5Su0-h_PHzjf5yLS3drokKZb1hJtYZgHMj_mUzuX/s1600/IMG_3139.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiukjqP9Y30SQ8d4tlofL7NvVDEx8ZUkM7JSYD_yVtKgqj-Kd7dSbdNhdKNBu15Cy3iIzcDHn9nvpfP-DvWcFKQdrW1xfyH8XwZadHctOl3mwtKXS6sN4xota1P820XruXvYshBB-Bz_G/s1600/IMG_3151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiukjqP9Y30SQ8d4tlofL7NvVDEx8ZUkM7JSYD_yVtKgqj-Kd7dSbdNhdKNBu15Cy3iIzcDHn9nvpfP-DvWcFKQdrW1xfyH8XwZadHctOl3mwtKXS6sN4xota1P820XruXvYshBB-Bz_G/s1600/IMG_3151.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Snow White, Dopey, and Prince Charming</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u9OhE-yMGvQxN8zyvHzy1qTWZ-JCF47Pnxd_L7Olsa3RzC3CtvK5a85-rslH6lokFEUsrnZIKrtrY_c4Qz4aCUOhNgPM8-17IVt_Aqyi-LQA9wEl2oOcpp24lmGppKfqUqERpn0ydUIe/s1600/IMG_3146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0u9OhE-yMGvQxN8zyvHzy1qTWZ-JCF47Pnxd_L7Olsa3RzC3CtvK5a85-rslH6lokFEUsrnZIKrtrY_c4Qz4aCUOhNgPM8-17IVt_Aqyi-LQA9wEl2oOcpp24lmGppKfqUqERpn0ydUIe/s1600/IMG_3146.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwlwIHNN8MD1v7hnuHk66kH1pKEOfkvNcrdmDizs-bxIffA0rWgSyLeSRpg42e260VO_o45_XsShAshawVoCfzCEO6J_Aw32mm0q4ByYFXPu8CzJ2eGgA9rszGPNWYF5hf9LEfKiaAJdI/s1600/IMG_3143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVwlwIHNN8MD1v7hnuHk66kH1pKEOfkvNcrdmDizs-bxIffA0rWgSyLeSRpg42e260VO_o45_XsShAshawVoCfzCEO6J_Aw32mm0q4ByYFXPu8CzJ2eGgA9rszGPNWYF5hf9LEfKiaAJdI/s1600/IMG_3143.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Dopey with his cousins Harry Potter and Emmet (from the Lego movie)</i></div>
<br />
<br />
On Saturday we relaxed in the morning, did some laundry, at more delicious food, then went to my Grandpa's house. We had a great time eating yummy food and playing with Sam. My step-great-grandma was there and she got some darling little pajamas for Samuel, which was such a blessing because just moments after we got there his diaper decided not to do its job and he needed a change of clothes, which we had neglected to bring for him. That night Dana's family spent the night at grandma's with us and we ate some more delicious food and played dominoes until bed time.<br />
<br />
Sunday morning we had a great breakfast and got packed up. We went to church with Cameron's Uncle Richard and aunt Jenny and their four darling children. It happened to be the same ward that I was in as a little girl! There was a redwood tree in the front of the building that I remember trying to put my arms around when I was a little girl. My arms are still too small ;) <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_z1bEtlBIgkSsEuWYwxx1brdIAKEjLgtZV4IwjWt_2kD_WN0xnjX1utklbRDRJCi_8eAiT8xB0EbbmH0Zuwhc0gnMyrCa5K6gK5CbinVgbQX18B9VHkDwDqs_SgaGwtbebezo8W2li01/s1600/IMG_3170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_z1bEtlBIgkSsEuWYwxx1brdIAKEjLgtZV4IwjWt_2kD_WN0xnjX1utklbRDRJCi_8eAiT8xB0EbbmH0Zuwhc0gnMyrCa5K6gK5CbinVgbQX18B9VHkDwDqs_SgaGwtbebezo8W2li01/s1600/IMG_3170.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>The Redwood Tree</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY13VXS531ZDEU9yPCN0kqken1qZp9hg7XKL1bFUSFFPo8pCwesJhgPEOxzEL2JNfVM3_X7c26SDxUj7N8Au8zN5E5LxGzt5w_WE-F9ndtdUSSi54M8GXynk2-GPpLn4dY129paOFMVbF2/s1600/IMG_3176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY13VXS531ZDEU9yPCN0kqken1qZp9hg7XKL1bFUSFFPo8pCwesJhgPEOxzEL2JNfVM3_X7c26SDxUj7N8Au8zN5E5LxGzt5w_WE-F9ndtdUSSi54M8GXynk2-GPpLn4dY129paOFMVbF2/s1600/IMG_3176.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We had a lovely time, then went to go get our bags and say goodbye to Grandma Judy and Grandpa Don, and took the car back to Dana who was so kind to let us borrow it while we were there. We had dinner with them and then Scott drove us to the airport. Lisa picked us up in Salt Lake (where it was very cold) and we spent the night with her again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDft9kcToKu0JDJxJ9l1sFsKqVwqIGoI8DCzSBSo8hNc4fq9CI8bB8cHqreVILWZGFDJqx1qy_2Ad1on5yTHHVk0LyH3O40SeaDZ3iRz8MMIlo1fLDqZQJeXxZ2zwsfvASBAQtEv05ZW1/s1600/IMG_3178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDft9kcToKu0JDJxJ9l1sFsKqVwqIGoI8DCzSBSo8hNc4fq9CI8bB8cHqreVILWZGFDJqx1qy_2Ad1on5yTHHVk0LyH3O40SeaDZ3iRz8MMIlo1fLDqZQJeXxZ2zwsfvASBAQtEv05ZW1/s1600/IMG_3178.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkA8ehSkyzMAZ-T7ucZ1EIYwgkhMqhbq_BUZKJpCqQulItIDirD5QyR5SD9J2d-e9be_3xzQeFfRbbuTadd2wE1ePJ3dxMvPAJEnBqLgWl_GHDCgmJNErKBh1isa7L2FAhcfMVzSrJnJu/s1600/IMG_3180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvkA8ehSkyzMAZ-T7ucZ1EIYwgkhMqhbq_BUZKJpCqQulItIDirD5QyR5SD9J2d-e9be_3xzQeFfRbbuTadd2wE1ePJ3dxMvPAJEnBqLgWl_GHDCgmJNErKBh1isa7L2FAhcfMVzSrJnJu/s1600/IMG_3180.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>Sam didn't sleep much on the plane ride home, but he enjoyed every minute of it!</i></div>
<br />
We are so grateful to all of our family for being so accommodating and welcoming when we came to visit. We love you all so much!</div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-76620938535919349392014-10-15T10:47:00.004-07:002014-10-15T11:10:02.044-07:00Eight Months<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Samuel is eight months! I know I keep saying this, but where has the time gone? Someone, please, make it slow down!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB61ysMyG226qa0oCewtpM1l7elS81UjUdReQOuTj1Riz2F4no34bgYI_JXBjEpOSsjSkqQxWxwF2pp9ouNElN3now609h7iXqGIOWLdwOevAZeDVHNMMCqFMiepnLFyIItt7o2FZzWQt/s1600/DSC_5768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifB61ysMyG226qa0oCewtpM1l7elS81UjUdReQOuTj1Riz2F4no34bgYI_JXBjEpOSsjSkqQxWxwF2pp9ouNElN3now609h7iXqGIOWLdwOevAZeDVHNMMCqFMiepnLFyIItt7o2FZzWQt/s1600/DSC_5768.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
My little angel is so wonderful! The biggest adventure of this month was (drumroll please) sleep training. It was a hard journey but after not-too-long he's gone from having to be nursed to sleep and painstakingly laid down and keeping the house in absolute silence, being "in bed" from 11pm to 7 am AND waking up at least two, sometimes three times a night, we have a wonderful new normal! He is now going to bed around 8 every night, usually waking up once to eat, and sleeping until 6 or 6:30! The best part is that he now cries for 10 minutes tops, sometimes not at all when we put him down! Hallelujah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEkRz4WUxmNeqnbykua335WLI242ZJMlVlPOZyVuC2pFaDZJ0Pu9xkguKulQmH-8nW__rdGXYtpcF0KyHch40XC8JZFWxfg-4Dtn19WZEgU-z_tk9Ri78XFo4j0df_FvAJBnA9RDgcvKx/s1600/DSC_5779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEkRz4WUxmNeqnbykua335WLI242ZJMlVlPOZyVuC2pFaDZJ0Pu9xkguKulQmH-8nW__rdGXYtpcF0KyHch40XC8JZFWxfg-4Dtn19WZEgU-z_tk9Ri78XFo4j0df_FvAJBnA9RDgcvKx/s1600/DSC_5779.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Early this month we had a little scare when he was making some wheezing noises. It turned out that he was just experimenting with this vocal chords, but we took him into the doctor to get it checked out. While his breathing was just fine, we discovered that he hadn't gained any weight in over a month even though he had gotten taller. The PA was incredibly helpful and told us to start feeding him solids once a day and work our way up to two-to-three times a day. He <i>loves</i> it! He's eaten everything we've tried so far. He didn't like the pureed meat the first time, but then we mixed it with some sweet potatoes and he gobbled it down after that. It's a little bit messy sometimes but it's so fun watching him get better at eating off of the spoon and getting excited and opening his mouth when he sees it coming.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9m04zteWtfwn5WxG8Rv0Bu5-mlsHhga18DlWiV6GNKi_ofEoCpjhk2nAVBWnBHJPj4U9SJSNtPnSo0i34C0TnDk8l1W2Kb1R_M1AFP_D-_FTHFDFp1qHljWcFsdyaBWqUOX9bSJm7MrOQ/s1600/IMG_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9m04zteWtfwn5WxG8Rv0Bu5-mlsHhga18DlWiV6GNKi_ofEoCpjhk2nAVBWnBHJPj4U9SJSNtPnSo0i34C0TnDk8l1W2Kb1R_M1AFP_D-_FTHFDFp1qHljWcFsdyaBWqUOX9bSJm7MrOQ/s1600/IMG_0325.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
One of the beautiful side effects of more sleep and more food (and probably just age in general) is that he is <i>even happier</i> than before. He laughs much more easily and smiles at everything. He charms everyone, even random passersby on campus when we're walking to and from my classes.<br />
<br />
He has started looking at us whenever he accomplishes something, looking for affirmation that he's done something well. It is darling, and he has lots of new tricks to show off. His scooting has turned to speedy quick crawling, and he loves to go! Before he always stayed in the living room or within a foot or so of the carpet. Now he will make a break for the kitchen cupboards or the bathroom, today he got all the way to my bedroom, and the further he gets from the living room the harder he laughs and the louder he squeals! He either feels ultimate freedom in getting around the house by himself, or he has some sneaky plans up his cute little sleeves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj63AbarXOXQVrGtq0NACAVGHIpdlSPIMnCAJUWXIkhU3gO9iJ5gK2YzxJQgwMSMP_JUztNQTtRFFt1HrxzkywhjvxN4MfaPnGWKYWnCfKEKiHcJwcbTIA3g-jyUXAxq27L0DfLD9ThPNW/s1600/DSC_5806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj63AbarXOXQVrGtq0NACAVGHIpdlSPIMnCAJUWXIkhU3gO9iJ5gK2YzxJQgwMSMP_JUztNQTtRFFt1HrxzkywhjvxN4MfaPnGWKYWnCfKEKiHcJwcbTIA3g-jyUXAxq27L0DfLD9ThPNW/s1600/DSC_5806.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
He has gotten very good at pulling himself into a standing position. He still struggles on using the walls, but anything that offers him a little more grip (tables, chairs, the couch) he quickly uses to kneel and then stand, then look back to make sure we're watching and cheering for him. He has also started to learn how to get down! He'll reach one little hand down towards the ground until he falls onto it then quickly uses it to push himself backwards onto his bum.<br />
<br />
He has some new "words," my favorite of which is "mamamama." He first started doing it when he was crying (which broke my heart during sleep training) but now every time he does it when he's happy I say, "That's me! I'm Momma! Mamamama" I do the same thing when he says "dadadada." "Yes, that's Daddy! He loves you. Dadadada." Hopefully he figures it out soon. He loves it when I copy his sounds, which now include blowing raspberries and clicking his tongue (the latter being the one he is most proud of.) He babbles a lot more than he used to, especially if he's excited or frustrated, but likes it when I coo and talk back to him.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NusG4JEGvnWUkueI2M6x7qoX1mmyvSXTfUQ_nUKX1CvbloXb4ev8h4VpKUS3ZNl4SiIVmK4pnFqr9Vonzkhk8YNVX2eIo__xNSDVRzBs0IGUKXIpfq_myqcM9uWLRdmHGumOCked5HYQ/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NusG4JEGvnWUkueI2M6x7qoX1mmyvSXTfUQ_nUKX1CvbloXb4ev8h4VpKUS3ZNl4SiIVmK4pnFqr9Vonzkhk8YNVX2eIo__xNSDVRzBs0IGUKXIpfq_myqcM9uWLRdmHGumOCked5HYQ/s1600/IMG_0349.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Some other smaller things he enjoys are turning off light switches, watching the toilet flush, playing with himself in the mirror, sucking on his toes (an old favorite re-discovered) and bouncing. He's also starting to interact more with his toys, so I'm working on sewing a few more. I'm in process on a plush dinosaur and some blocks. If he's upset (like if we're putting him in his car seat) he cheers up quickly if we sing "popcorn popping on the apricot tree" or "the wise man and the foolish man" (from the LDS children's song book.) He especially loves the accompanying hand motions.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBisqPbvEtsekXru6ej34xg9vNn-ziOXfm8cc1ZFiKtzByF_UOY9bMb89Mx9ogQKtmZbi1HlBDpern8EHCtQrK4qcUvM2O3RmZPvsxzzrf_DeRJlrXqS2fDp_hj2Brgls5tOAG3XFRKy0/s1600/DSC_5932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSBisqPbvEtsekXru6ej34xg9vNn-ziOXfm8cc1ZFiKtzByF_UOY9bMb89Mx9ogQKtmZbi1HlBDpern8EHCtQrK4qcUvM2O3RmZPvsxzzrf_DeRJlrXqS2fDp_hj2Brgls5tOAG3XFRKy0/s1600/DSC_5932.JPG" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A sad stage to see go is that of the easy and happy diaper changes. He has no interest in lying still anymore. Sometimes we can get him to be good until he's wiped down, but it's usually a struggle to get the new diaper strapped on and his clothes re-snapped. We try toys and singing and anything else we can think of, but diaper time is often a two-man job now.<br />
<br />
He's developing so quickly and we're excited to see where these next few weeks lead us! I'm so grateful for my sweet little boy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHufWxndBWI4chj8m2DdB7KgJurIpBOY2IRfOfcDIAYlyJZVGbTOngLMdBl8fENXzRMcgpmXJt5dT19wZCYa0yAMtQt_YgVB51ZD2Qhyphenhypheny6jbeC4jPpGDsCvwf1hMKuuzpRVzDBwWTjmkA/s1600/IMG_0288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHufWxndBWI4chj8m2DdB7KgJurIpBOY2IRfOfcDIAYlyJZVGbTOngLMdBl8fENXzRMcgpmXJt5dT19wZCYa0yAMtQt_YgVB51ZD2Qhyphenhypheny6jbeC4jPpGDsCvwf1hMKuuzpRVzDBwWTjmkA/s1600/IMG_0288.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-87422400850497503132014-10-14T13:03:00.001-07:002014-10-14T13:41:06.080-07:00Ramblings on Education and Motherhood.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Today I am grateful for my baby. I love him so much! Since he has started eating more solid food and sleeping better at night he seems happier and happier all the time. There are still rough moments, but his personality is blossoming and it is beautiful to see.<br />
<br />
Recently Cameron and I have felt that we need to explore other options for grad school. It's exciting and terrifying at the same time because I will most likely have to do many years of taking classes through independent study to finish my degree if we leave. I started looking at options for graduating and for a brief moment I saw a glimpse of myself and my dear husband standing together in our graduation robes, holding our sweet little boy and walking across that stage together. It would be so wonderful, but unless they somehow decide that being a mom erases the need for completing a major, it's just not going to happen. It's hard to give up that dream. I may not ever dress in blue robes and a silly cap and shake the university presidents hand, because I will probably be graduating from somewhere far away, a long time down the road. It's really hard to just close that door but this is what I chose.<br />
<br />
I felt strongly that having Sam when we did was what the Lord wanted for us. I still feel that way. I feel that taking a light load of classes so that most of my time can be spent in being a mother is the right thing for me. I have no regrets. I wish I could get a degree just for having a baby, but it doesn't work that way, and I know that I have chosen the best path for me. This is what the Lord has asked me to do and I will finish it.<br />
<br />
My family comes first and foremost. I would not trade Samuel or my time with him for anything! I am so grateful for the joy and love that he brings to my life. Whenever I am tired or stressed his loving smiles and infectious giggles and his incessant babbling of "mamamamama" make everything wonderful! I love him so much and want to be my best for him. </div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-3373720970911084822014-10-08T21:09:00.000-07:002014-10-08T21:14:17.655-07:00Random Update on Our Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I haven't written in forever. School has been very busy, being a mom has been busy, realizing that plans for six months from now will probably change drastically (<i>No, we're not pregnant)</i><br />
so, blogging falls by the wayside.<br />
<br />
But life has been full of so many blessings!<br />
<br />
Samuel continues to grow. He hasn't gained much weight recently, my milk supply has probably gone down since he has to take a bottle most days that I'm at school, but we caught it early and the doctor is helping us get a routine set up to help him get the food he needs.<br />
<br />
I got an A on my first ASL test! Which is awesome, 'cause last semester was not quite so good. I'm also loving my English class. I LOVE the way my teacher sets everything up and forces us to work on our essays slowly by having us turn them in piece by piece, focussing on different aspects every time! It's helping my writing so much.<br />
<br />
I have also submitted a piece to a magazine! I think I'd like to do more of that! I don't know yet if it will be published or not, but I've decided that I'd like to try to write more, and if I can get published that would be fantastic! I'm also currently working on two children's books. An illustrating major just moved into our ward, so I may have to ask if she'd like to collaborate.<br />
<br />
Cameron is thinking of other options for grad school (we were originally planning to stay here) so that potentially puts me in a tough spot for graduating. Still totally doable, I'd just have to do online classes if we left Provo. But we're praying and counseling together and I'm sure we'll find the best solution. (I just hope it's soon so we can plan for the future!)<br />
<br />
General conference was AWESOME. My dad was able to come out early for a business trip and spend sunday conference with us, and Cameron's mom and little sister came up for Saturday conference. It was so wonderful to see them! I also made my mom's oh-so-delicious cinnamon rolls and they were awesome! (I'll probably share the recipe on here sometime because it is SO good!)<br />
and, of course, I absolutely loved the messages that were shared! I especially loved all the messages about being kind and courteous to others, regardless of whether we have different beliefs. I know I struggled with that a little when I was younger, and it can still be hard to respond with kindness when people are cruel or hurtful to me or others, but I have a testimony that God wants us to love each other and treat each other well. I hope that I can continue to try to become more christ-like, especially as I go back and listen to the talks from conference over again.<br />
<br />
Sam's sleep training is going really well! (Except last night he woke up several times, but I think that he is <i>legitimately</i> teething this time, so we'll let it slide and hope it doesn't become the norm.) He felt so bad for keeping me up all night last night that he let me take an almost-three-hour nap with him today! It was much needed.<br />
<br />
Thanks for letting me just blurt out random pieces of news. I am loving life! I am loving a more structured schedule for Sam, and I love the Lord!<br />
Happy October!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdfjE8IEucd5ZcXjKH1J91X7dVhY3QwEjbjEaX34W26bWlfbUtNXszN754Dfh-pxLcPr-0-vTo1z7IHivwKs1O2ls6Of2mJ6qyP2RngQk2ALJ710cd-E7WPbkEOWVAeJWoE-cggMHkmnM/s1600/IMG_0331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIdfjE8IEucd5ZcXjKH1J91X7dVhY3QwEjbjEaX34W26bWlfbUtNXszN754Dfh-pxLcPr-0-vTo1z7IHivwKs1O2ls6Of2mJ6qyP2RngQk2ALJ710cd-E7WPbkEOWVAeJWoE-cggMHkmnM/s1600/IMG_0331.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>(here's a sneak peak of some pictures my dad took of us over the weekend!)</i></div>
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-22870446598929315732014-09-23T11:27:00.000-07:002014-09-23T11:27:43.322-07:00Seven Months Old<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This month has gone by <i>much</i> too quickly. My sweet, sweet Samuel is growing too fast! I really can't stand it. He is now scooting all over the apartment at top speed, still mostly army crawling. The day he turned seven months he succeeded in pulling himself into a standing position without any help form Cameron or me! Now he can shuffle sideways in a standing position and gets super excited about it!<br />
<br />
He loves to laugh. At least once a week he finds something new that makes him so happy that he has to giggle. Some new discoveries include turning a light switch on and off, the "rawr" sound mommy makes when we're playing with his lion rattle, burying his face in the soft back cushions of our new couches, flicking rain drops off of leaves.<br />
<br />
He's done remarkably well dealing with coming to school twice a day with me, though I've discovered that I need to get a rainproof cover for the stroller. We're swapping babysitting with two other couples and Samuel loves his little friends (both just a few months older than him!) He's become much more vocal since meeting his friend K. and even though L. doesn't talk back to him much he loves to blabber to both of them. His favorite words these days are "blah" and "hi" (though I don't think he knows what they mean. He is starting to respond to his name though! That's super exciting :)<br />
<br />
Today we started sleep training, and it is not going nearly as smoothly as all the other blogger mommies make it sound. I'm praying it starts going more smoothly soon. We're not even doing the cry-it-out method, but its still been a pretty teary experience for him, but he's asleep now! I think he's finally figuring out that I'll come back in when he's <i>not</i> crying and that its ok to fall asleep without eating at the same time. Here's hoping he magically sleeps through the night! And that he get's to nap tomorrow.<br />
<br />
He is such a little angel and I am so grateful that he came to our home. I am so grateful to be his mommy, to see his sweet smiles every day, to be able to make him happy, and to be able to take care of him! It is such a blessing, and I am so grateful! </div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-39416286487335692412014-09-11T12:07:00.000-07:002014-09-11T12:07:57.887-07:00Where Were You?Thirteen years ago today I was nine years old. I was homeschooled at the time, so my siblings and I were all working on our respective assignments when the phone rang. I don't remember who called but I remember my mothers face turning white. She flew to the black tube TV and turned it on. On the screen were the images of two burning sky scrapers and the planes that had crashed into them. It looked like a science fiction movie to me, but my mother's crying scared me. I tried to console her.<br />
<div>
"Mommy, it's just a movie. It isn't real."</div>
<div>
I don't recall her exact response but I slowly started to realize that this was real, that it had happened on purpose. I was so frightened. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I think back on that day, and the anniversary every year since then, the question that always seems to be asked is "where were you?" But after thirteen years I think we have a more important question to ask ourselves: "<b>Where are we now?</b>" How far have we come? What have we learned? If it happened again today, would we react differently? Would we still come together in unity as a country and reach out in love and compassion to our neighbors? Would the words "God Bless America" still be emblazoned on so many memorials? Would we still be Americans?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Or would the race or religious group of the person that committed the crime be threatened and hated? Would we be quick to anger and slow to understand? Would we look for revenge?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I hope that as we remember today those who lost their lives on that day that we ask ourselves, "are we better today than we were then?" And if we find that the answer is "no," I pray that we take the necessary steps to become so.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God Bless America!</div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-58606268931700800992014-08-29T13:53:00.000-07:002015-01-21T10:06:37.274-08:00How to Have an Absolutely Fantabulous Marriage in 10 Easy Steps--Some Things Should be Sacred II<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I know that a lot of people will disagree with me about this post, but I feel that it is very important that I share it. Just because I am saying that I think you're wrong, that does not mean that I don't love and respect you, so please be kind and respect my freedom of speech as I respect yours.</span></i><br />
<br />
Things that are sacred should not be taken lightly. Marriage is sacred, as is your relationship with your spouse and their trust. Sexual intimacy is sacred and should not be treated casually or shared outside of marriage.<br />
<br />
Abstinence before marriage is a legitimate option. My husband and I are both so grateful that we chose not to share that part of ourselves with anyone else or even with each other until we were married. It has brought us so much closer, and enabled us to see sex as the God-given gift that it is and use it purely as an expression of love. I'm so grateful that I never have to try not to think of anyone else when I'm with my husband.<br />
<br />
Once you're married, that doesn't necessarily mean that anything goes. You still need to respect the sanctity of intimacy, and you still need to be faithful to your spouse. Decide with your spouse and the Lord what is righteous, and what you are comfortable with. Don't push your spouse to do things that they are uncomfortable with, even if you don't think there's anything wrong with it.<br />
<br />
Fidelity to your spouse obviously excludes having sex with anyone else, but there are other ways of being unfaithful. The Lord said "whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matt 5:28). (Women, this scripture applies to you as well.) Sometimes bad thoughts will come into your mind. Sometimes images or words or music that are offensive are put in front of you and it's not your fault. What<i> is</i> your fault is when you continue to entertain those thoughts, or keep looking or listening. When you do something with the intent to have sexual thoughts or feelings about another person besides your spouse, this is a sin.<br />
<br />
Pornography is not a righteous thing. It is a form of infidelity, it is harmful not only to yourself, but to your marriage, your family, and it damages your view of sexuality, changing it from something Godly to something base, dirty, and sinful. Whether it's videos, pictures, books, music, you-name-it, if it causes you to think of someone other than your spouse in a sexual way, <b><i>stop it.</i> </b>It doesn't matter the rating, the medium, or who recommended it to you. If your mind starts wandering places you shouldn't go, get away from it. Run like Joseph did from Potiphar's wife. Run and don't look back.<br />
<br />
Porn not only ruins your view of sexuality, but of love, people, and bodies. Sex is not love. It can and aught to be a way of expressing love, but lust is not the same as love. Pornography damages your ability to see the difference and recognize pure, godly love. Porn objectifies men and women, and their bodies, turning them into objects meant solely for gratification. We not only see this in explicit pornography, but in advertising everywhere. We need to see people first and foremost as children of our Heavenly Father, not bodies to be stared at.<br />
<br />
Don't allow yourself to become too emotionally attached to anyone other than your spouse. Guard your emotions. Even if the feelings you have for someone else aren't sexual, they can still be unfaithful in nature. It can harm your relationship with your spouse. Remember to love your spouse more than anyone. "Cleave unto her [or him] and none else" (Gen 2; D&C 42:22.)<br />
<br />
If you already have a problem with infidelity or pornography or anything else I've talked about, it's not too late to change. Because of the Savior's atonement you can start over, multiple times a day if you have to. He loves you, he will forgive you, and he can help you to rebuild your life. If you find that you have an addiction to pornography or anything else and can't kick the habit on your own, seek help. It's ok. There are lots of fantastic resources to help you overcome it. Talk to your church leaders, find addiction recovery groups in your community, ask your family members and friends for help and support. You can do it.<br />
<br />
Marriage and family are central to God's plan for our salvation and happiness. Sex is also a part of that plan--not just for bringing children into the world, but for our enjoyment and for expressing love to our spouse. Because it is so sacred, we must treat it that way. The Lord loves us. We can do hard things, we can obey his commandments, and we can love and respect our spouses (current or future.)<br />
<br />
If you're interested, here are some great talks on the same topics I covered.<br />
<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/protection-from-pornography-a-christ-focused-home?lang=eng" target="_blank">Protection from Pornography--a Christ Centered Home</a><br />
<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1998/10/personal-purity?lang=eng" target="_blank">Personal Purity</a><br />
<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2000/10/sanctify-yourselves?lang=eng" target="_blank">Sanctify Yourselves</a>: This talk was given specifically to an audience of men but it applies to everyone<br />
<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2006/04/nurturing-marriage?lang=eng" target="_blank">Nurturing Marriage</a><br />
<a href="https://addictionrecovery.lds.org/?lang=eng" target="_blank">LDS Addiction Recovery</a><br />
<br /></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-44423829767329005062014-08-27T17:05:00.000-07:002014-08-27T17:05:26.051-07:00#tbtI never seem to feel nostaligic on Thursdays. I've really wanted to do a #tbt (Throw Back Thursday) Instagram or Facebook post for a long time (not sure why, to be one of the cool kids I guess) but I never think of it on Thursday. So, I propose a new list of hashtags for those of us who feel nostalgic <i>not</i> on a Thursday.<br />
<br />
#mlm - Memory Lane Monday<br />
#tbtu - Throwback Tuesday (cheating? Maybe.)<br />
#wbw - Way Back Wednesday (or WABAC for you Mr. Peabody fans)<br />
#fbf - Flashback Friday<br />
#sts - SenTimental Saturday (because I felt like it needed more than 2 letters.)<br />
<br />
Or maybe just<br />
#nnot - Nostalgic Not On Thursday<br />
<br />
<br />Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-36843668971807564412014-08-22T11:20:00.003-07:002014-09-05T12:29:29.284-07:00Feeling Grateful TodayBeing a mom is really time consuming, and mind consuming, and all consuming. I hardly think about anything else, ever (which is why I really ought to be reviewing ASL right now instead of writing this, but it's nice to do something just for fun.)<br />
<br />
I love my life. Goodness, I get tired sometimes, like all-the-times, but it is so wonderful! I am so grateful for my Father in Heaven who strengthens me. There are many moments, like yesterday morning, when I am too tired to even think about moving but I say a little prayer and He helps me to keep pushing on without falling over or dropping my baby, and then blesses me with a nap!<br />
<br />
I'm also so grateful for my husband who is so supportive and helpful. Even though he has a sprained ankle and a cold and is taking the GRE this weekend he still takes the time to help me and just sit and talk and make me feel loved!<br />
<br />
I am also so grateful for my little angel baby. He is so wonderful. Yesterday was tough, I think he might be catching whatever I have, but his little smiles and giggles make me so happy. No matter what burdens I am carrying, his smile lightens them instantly. Motherhood is amazing. I can't even begin to describe how much I have grown, especially emotionally. I've always had a pretty low threshold for stress and sleep deprivation (anyone who knew me in high school can tell you I got sick <i>all</i> the time) but I have been strengthened in my mind and body. I've learned how to keep pushing, to just take one more step, and then another, and another, until I'm running full speed again. It truly is a miracle.<br />
<br />
I'm so grateful for all my friends and family, for their love and support, and for the joy it gives me to know that I am not alone.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful for baby bouncers and bagels with strawberry cream cheese.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful for baby giggles and kind strangers and windows that open.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful for sunshine, I'm grateful for rain, I'm grateful for this beautiful place I live in that I used to think was a barren desert. I'm grateful that my mind can change!<br />
<br />
I'm grateful for my tiny apartment that has a full sized stove, oven, and refrigerator. I'm grateful for the concrete floors covered in cheap linoleum and million year old carpet that don't creak when I'm putting my baby down to sleep.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful to be alive. I'm grateful for my family members that I have known who have passed away. I'm grateful for their examples, and for the love I still feel from them.<br />
<br />
I'm grateful for my faith: for my knowledge of a life after this where we can have a second chance and can be with our families again. I'm grateful for a merciful God who loves me, and all of us, more than anything!<br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">I am grateful that happiness is a choice!</span></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp5RIeYyAc0XID6lQLsyGP-HV82WjkIzL_opTH2ldDWi0V2utEsHN3nn3K5slHEnaWPdCl6qYZjU_juOw49N-3MO-BJ1DCoK2H7ZW7tyOHYA9a6k6lZK3D6T1hbHyQmHtDt8Vh-a43coc/s1600/img_5719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBp5RIeYyAc0XID6lQLsyGP-HV82WjkIzL_opTH2ldDWi0V2utEsHN3nn3K5slHEnaWPdCl6qYZjU_juOw49N-3MO-BJ1DCoK2H7ZW7tyOHYA9a6k6lZK3D6T1hbHyQmHtDt8Vh-a43coc/s1600/img_5719.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9040062311978462829.post-18117442915615801542014-08-20T15:22:00.000-07:002014-09-05T12:30:09.433-07:00Six Months!Five days late, but here it goes! Sam is six months old! (And currently asleep, can I get a "hallelujah?" I'm sick and this is his second nap today which hasn't been happening lately so I'm super excited, since I slept during his first one.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkItIi2Kf8gXg-14sX3Fub3tG4qenaaSIr4lUP536xnfOLPqNlN_-4KxJF6jAqIk0_LwpiW2TcAqUqzSF5Od-4-gD8LTKuzyihiVfYdnCmxks3W6lxtkyQO6a3ODBq7tpoAPzp5nLcGfd/s1600/20140729_160402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkItIi2Kf8gXg-14sX3Fub3tG4qenaaSIr4lUP536xnfOLPqNlN_-4KxJF6jAqIk0_LwpiW2TcAqUqzSF5Od-4-gD8LTKuzyihiVfYdnCmxks3W6lxtkyQO6a3ODBq7tpoAPzp5nLcGfd/s1600/20140729_160402.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sleeping in the Car</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Major updates for this month: Sam is scooting! I wouldn't exactly call it crawling yet but he's on his way for sure! Which means I need to make sure <i>nothing</i> that isn't ok to go in his mouth is on the floor. Thankfully we cleaned well before we went on our big trip so we just have to not put anything new on the floor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7-bs9cCq7Q9kkHbaM094cm8VJ4jzi7P6Yq2gouRDY-gkRr1C7FQ6DuUpCrLQQnuBAu-Olto2IXXsrKYI4t5XdJ2lBuU8On5L9TUhE3vh6lM3Bt5rceBaqeNhEyyGXQR9X8U3ZsNtUeHg/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7-bs9cCq7Q9kkHbaM094cm8VJ4jzi7P6Yq2gouRDY-gkRr1C7FQ6DuUpCrLQQnuBAu-Olto2IXXsrKYI4t5XdJ2lBuU8On5L9TUhE3vh6lM3Bt5rceBaqeNhEyyGXQR9X8U3ZsNtUeHg/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sam scooting with Daddy</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Speaking of our trip, Samuel went on his first (and second, third, fourth) plane ride(s)! We had a couple plane changes. But he did really well! On the first three flights he fell asleep as between when the engines turned on and when we reached cruising altitude, and on the first and third flight he didn't wake up until we landed! The last flight, which was only an hour, he was awake and happy the whole time. Everyone on the planes seemed really happy that he was such a good baby. We were so proud of our little guy!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK54XKCZHFZDjEGFZxXCwk2yfiKqRYi2uB-9SYQ4b_9UAeKXQZoGE4pwqZ7xtLCRFdvjeR6cssdt8DhHL-Y-RQbMNpXdiuKnqWELobEvmJXaiqCZASurIOxaT_exxDSXH9dcA_eM31jPis/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK54XKCZHFZDjEGFZxXCwk2yfiKqRYi2uB-9SYQ4b_9UAeKXQZoGE4pwqZ7xtLCRFdvjeR6cssdt8DhHL-Y-RQbMNpXdiuKnqWELobEvmJXaiqCZASurIOxaT_exxDSXH9dcA_eM31jPis/s1600/IMG_0475.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Sam loved the curtains at my parents' home</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
He did great on our trip and loved meeting his uncle Cameron, aunt Lizzie (Stein) and Uncle Bryan, Aunt Felicia, and cousin Weston. He also got to meet my high school choir teachers, a bunch of my favorite people who still live in our home ward, and my best friends from high school! He was fascinated by my sister's dog Franky, who was equally fascinated (and a little bit jealous) of Sam. Samuel had his first trip to Zingerman's Deli and a bunch of other neat places around Ann Arbor, met a cat for the first time (who thankfully didn't mind Sam constantly reaching for it's tail) and discovered that he loves soccer!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yXnp14HyRZUFezfPcx3Nf2T242mg86ibKh7LIL8HK719Fwx3DGiM9onnvtv_Dqa6aO1DG033DH0FtoJa0YT6igl4LRCdaD2o-9Hz98QQzRTRy-TPKFYPxzIQw_9JTzvEnzaLeDQz9EuV/s1600/IMG_20140729_142304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yXnp14HyRZUFezfPcx3Nf2T242mg86ibKh7LIL8HK719Fwx3DGiM9onnvtv_Dqa6aO1DG033DH0FtoJa0YT6igl4LRCdaD2o-9Hz98QQzRTRy-TPKFYPxzIQw_9JTzvEnzaLeDQz9EuV/s1600/IMG_20140729_142304.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-size: x-small;">Playing with cousin "Fireman" Weston</i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></i></div>
He also tried his first taste of real food! He has only had avocado so far, but he <i>really</i> likes it. After two weeks of trying desperately to eat anything we were eating I finally just took some avocado that didn't make it into my sandwich and smooshed it up for him and fed him off my plate. He was a happy camper after that! Now he wants to try everything else on our plates... We're going to try peas and sweet potatoes next. Maybe it'll get me to eat more vegetables, too!<br />
<br />
While we were in Vegas, Sam had his first experience with swimming where he didn't look miserable. I think he actually liked it! Unfortunately, he started getting cold and shivering so I really quick took him inside and dried him off, but he liked the water, especially the little fountain in the shallow end. He also made great friends with his cousin (once removed) Ellie, who is eight. They had a blast together. He also loved interacting with all of Ellie's older brothers, and my arms got a much appreciated break.<br />
<br />
Sam has gotten much better at grabbing things and controlling his hands. He likes to put everything in his mouth. A few times he's managed to get his bottle into his mouth all on his own a few times, but has never tipped it high enough to get anything out of it on his own.<br />
<br />
He laughs at a lot more things now as well, including clapping, sneezing, dancing, and continues to love tickling, raspberries, and kisses. He also is starting to recognize pictures of people. I've started putting my phone on speaker when people call so I can have my hands free and he can recognize his daddy's face and voice, and I think my mom's as well (they're the only ones I have really good pictures of in my contacts.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyUnU3bKaTTa6jjUPnhvP68q1SyCxo07MZaCmXqVMbN2QAZmDUiYLRze1YED8HBpTQsO1qtn5sYy8cWh_JZ5Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
<br />
He will have his six month check up on Monday, but from holding him on a scale and subtracting my weight he looks to be about 16 lbs! In the last couple of days he's sat up on his own and tried to pull himself up onto his daddy's stomach. He's growing up much too fast. I never understood when parents said that until now. I really wish he'd slow down! Especially since I'll be going back to school in a couple weeks I can't bear to think that he might change or do something new when I'm not there to see it! Being a mom is hard! I can handle the crying, the late nights, the poopy diapers, but I can't bear to see him grow so fast! Sigh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LZ5OXjHlsnAoyqUeW6_VE19JvO8t95MIHB0lqrVOLyDZfCFLXaZMZrtNsGMS9hqFXftlVgcrjHdPsMGFPX-O2QZauRgYR826ul2wU4zeWCB-RxfQBsojTKiiZ0yIPkWmMTqJo-mEDomt/s1600/IMG_0156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LZ5OXjHlsnAoyqUeW6_VE19JvO8t95MIHB0lqrVOLyDZfCFLXaZMZrtNsGMS9hqFXftlVgcrjHdPsMGFPX-O2QZauRgYR826ul2wU4zeWCB-RxfQBsojTKiiZ0yIPkWmMTqJo-mEDomt/s1600/IMG_0156.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-size: x-small;">can you believe how much he's grown?</i></div>
Dana Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12790740436631374881noreply@blogger.com0