A new post for a new attitude

I held a sweet little boy today.  He just cuddled in my arms. 

I talked with women just a few years older than me...but much wiser.

I went shopping today.  I didn't buy anything.

I took off my hoodie today.  I wasn't cold.

I did homework today.  I learned a interesting things.

I played on facebook today.  I did not linger too long.

I ate good food today.  It was healthy.

I enjoyed my day today.  Nothing fabulous happened, but I am happy.

Laugh, Cry, and Be Amazed all in one day!

Laugh
This last week has been a whirlwind of adventure.  I felt the full spectrum of all emotion.  This is our family history blog, so I would feel bad if I did not document it.  First, I was able to get a ticket to visit my friend Kelli and my family in CA.  I was so elated to know that I would get some good time with them...just Taylor and I.  Daniel was a pretty good sport about it too...even though he will have the 2 boys to take care of for a week...yes...an entire week for me to play.

Cry
Then my mom called and said my Aunt Linda was not doing well.  They had put her on life support.  Auntie Linda holds a special place in my heart because she was the aunt I felt closest to as a young child.  We lived in Oklahoma and she would visit as often as she could.  She was really the only Aunt or Uncle I felt like I knew...that was latter remedied when we moved closer to family.  Anyhow, her health condition really tore at my spirit.  I love her with all of my heart.  She is doing a little better now, and I am hoping she will make it to my visit next week.

Amazed
On Wednesday night we got a call from the Stake Executive Secretary.  They wanted to meet with Daniel and I the next day.  On Sunday they had announced a new bishopric would be called.  Daniel and I did not sleep at ALL that night.  I kept praying we would have the right spirit with us as we met with President Holm. Thursday night they called Daniel to be the 2nd Councilor in the Bishopric.  Today, at the age of 30, my husband was made a High Priest by his father...who had driven 7 hours on Saturday to be there and left just 18 hours later.  My husband has been humbled by the spirit that has surrounded him and the knowledge that he is doing the will of God.  He is a good man.  We know the Lord will bless us on this new journey.  We know the ward will support our new Bishopric.  The whirlwind of emotions this week has made me grateful for my knowledge of the gospel. 

Family Pictures by Liz

This Family Picture session was AMAZING!  We got at least 50 great shots.  There are so many it is hard to choose my favorites.  All of us were cooperative.  Daniel even enjoyed himself.  He was more fun during these photos than on our wedding day.  He was meant to be a daddy.  Although I stole his best mans secret of grabbing his butt to keep the smiles coming...

 Our beautiful girl!

Daddy, Daughter 

 A close contender for our Christmas Card.  Really...They are all good.

 Mommy, Daughter

 I wonder where my other arm is...thanks Jayson!

It is great to be eight...The winning picture for the Baptism invites.

 Modeling Chase!

 CUTIE!!!

 The traditional fun Dad and The Boys picture.

 Artistic shot by Liz.  She was amazing!

She was also a great bargain...If she had known they would be this good she may have charged more...he he

 Love

My boys!

I was going to give up the blog, but I have been persuaded to keep it up.  I have known for a long time that my mom and sister LOVE seeing the pictures and reading my unedited posts.  This weekend my MIL shared with me how much all of the family blogs mean to her.  She has children in Phoenix, Florida, and Georgia.  Blogs help her feel close to the family and involved in our lives...so...for her...and the unspoken others.  I am going to keep updating...and...maybe I will even start updating more often.

Chase sneaks off with the camera

Chase loves to find my camera and take pictures.  He will put it right back where he found it (or he hides it).  I always find his treasure when uploading my camera.  These are 2 gems from the last upload...

A picture of each of us... from Labor Day. 

It has been awhile...

So here is an update from June to the beginning of September.  I am going to do my best here.

June 5, 2010 

 Carter participates in the Chandler All-Star tournament and does a great job!

June 24, 2010

 Carter and I chillin

Chase and I chillin

 June 27, 2010

 White-Trash baby!

July 3rd, 2010

 Celebrating a day early.  We went to mesa and it was crowded.  There were tons of games and historical figures...impersonators that is.

 CUTE BOYS!!!

 Almost the entire family with the Washington's.  Don't mind my hair...It seems I had a comb over going.

July 26, 2010

 Chase's first day of Kinder...which he loves.  No hating school for him.  He wasn't even nervous. 

 Carter begins second grade, but he was nervous.  He didn't have any of his best friends in his class, and it was hard for him when his bestest friend changed schools.  He is has plenty of new friends now.

 Chase getting off of the bus for the first time.  Yes, I followed the bus.  No, I do not feel stupid.  I drove Carter on his first day...I had to at least follow Chase.  He didn't even notice I was there.

August 25, 2010

 Ahhh...Football begins.  I have a love hate relationship with football.  Carter has really excelled this year.  He got his first true touchdown!  He plays mostly @ corner and and reciever, but he plays a bit of safety also.  He is a football freak.  He loves getting his aggression out on the field instead of in other ways....ways that get him in a bit of trouble.

September 1, 2010

 Baby girl turns one!  This gets 3 pictures because it is a monumental milestone.  She was all smiles and business.  Taylor is the family's princess.  The boys can't get enough of her.  Daddy demands her the second he gets home everyday...even when she is sleeping.  She is a happy baby that knows how to lay on the charm!

 She is also talented in the speach department...NOT with walking...she has still yet to master that skill...she can say quite a few words.  Lets list them for fun...at least the ones I can remember.  Uh. oh (that counts as two), Hi, Hey, Hello, Daddy, Mama, Carter, Ball, Thank You, Yeah, No (with attitude) that is all I can think of but I know there are more.  Maybe I will post them later...but probably not.

 Eating cake was all business.  She made a giant mess.

Both hands on deck!  She litterally grabbed handfully and lodged them into the back of her throat and went for more.  She loves chocolate!  No...no...no...her cake was not fabulous looking.  I didn't have the heart for it.  This cake is embarassing, but it tasted good.


That is it for now.  Maybe there will be more later.  I stoppe posting because nobody leaves comments...and that is LAME.

Labor Day Get Away

We spent Labor Day together!  I know, it is amazing!!!  Daniel and I are never at the same place at the same time unless one of us is sleeping.  Daniel is so busy with work during the week.  I work and sleep all weekend.  Football and baseball are filling the boys time.  We honestly needed a break...

So, all of us took time off!

We began our family journey to 70 degree weather in the mountains...

The air conditioner in the car went out 30 miles into the trip...

It was 107 degrees..

We booked a campsite...

I thought it was in the middle of nowhere...

It was 2 miles away from a Wal-Mart...

Oops...

We got new fishing gear...

The fishing sucked...

We took a teething one year old camping...

She cried almost the entire trip...

Except at night...

She slept ALL NIGHT...

We took a brand new card game to play with the kids...

It was WAY too hard...

Funny...isn't it...

With all of this... it was still on of our best family vacations...

No fish, but plenty of crawdads...

He was a little jumpy at first...

But as the crawdads began to calm down due to lack of oxygen...

Even Chase joined in

AND...

Even Taylor joined in the fun when the boys caught frogs...

Also...

Because I am feeling generous...

Pictured below you can see on of the dirtiest pair of pants ever...

We let her get as dirty as she wanted...

I will begin to catch up on blogging, but until them...

Enjoy