morning light.

i feel so out of sorts this year- although i've only been pregnant half the year, i can't seem to remember what it feels like to not be in pain or to actually see my feet. (feet!? are you there?!)

i feel like there is never a dull moment. sometimes i just long for a few days together where there is nothing to do. (i whine about this to mike and he is convinced i create things to do when those days do happen... he's probably right:) this morning as i thought of our pre-christmas plan of attack (this is the last time i am going to walmart this week! seriously, how many things can one person keep forgetting?), i plopped down on the floor and just looked around reminding myself to "breathe..." i can't figure out if my constant state of feeling overwhelmed is due to pregnancy, the cold weather, a hectic schedule, being out of control... who knows! i'm exhausting myself just thinking about thinking.

the early hour in which the people i live with wake up (in particular, 1.5 small people), in addition to the late rising of the sun makes for a delightful scene each day (at least on days i notice). it's usually cloudy and dark. today there was actually a hint of sun! beds were unmade but the house was (relatively) clean. the heater kicked on. elle chimed for the 20th time, "MOMMY!!! pretend you are elle belle and i am mommy!" it was a lovely little moment of peace and although i go crazy in this tiny house, i'm so thankful for it. thankful for the heater and the lights of the christmas tree, and the blessings we have in our lives right now. thankful for this christmas season... thankful for the pretty morning light that puts a little more into perspective...

life lately (*exhale*)...

I mean, seriously. Life? Lately? Unreal. I’m not sure it’s ever reached nutso status like it has these last couple of weeks. Each day we’ve woken up earlier and stayed up later. Our house has rotated through with strangers buying things (we have sold what feels like half of our furniture). We are busy working, redecorating, painting, trying to do our callings, trying to navigate travel, oh, and enjoying summertime! Life is good- we are happy and we are thankful, but goodness me, we are tired! Ready, set, go!

 pool/bday party w/ mike's family // mike tries to remove a wasp nest & we watch // splash pad // "bed" in the costco cart // farewell, desk! // elle makes a card for father's day- a happy face complete with cheeks, eyebrows, ears & more- i'm so impressed! // mike & i meet for a lunch date (that's him on the train!) // "elle, what are you doing in there? "I'M NOT ELLE! I'M A PUPPY!" // manti temple // date nights on the floor (we sold our couch) //  elle makes herself a picnic while we paint // setting up elle's big girl bed (which she's not interested in- she slept in it the first night! that's it. no more of the big girl bed.) // chalkboard wall // elle's favorite new app... first she, looking more like an old maid than a princess... and mike looking, well, not ok:)

little art-eest!

i know, total mom moment, but i'm just so amazed. holy cow, kids are crazy! the other night we were sitting on the couch- me on the computer, elle next to me drawing (oh, and mike doing dishes like always- LOVE HIM). elle said, "look mommy! i draw a happy face!" i looked over and, lo and behold, my kid drew a happy face! like... it, like, looks like a happy face! my reaction would have led a stranger to believe that i had just raised a man from the dead. i was a little dramatic with my shock and delight. i mean, we draw, but i never have seen anything but scribbles appear from a pad of paper. add to it the fact that her drawings generally look similar to, if not better than, my drawings. i'm floored. parenthood amazes me- things that i don't think i teach her, she knows. things that i wish i knew, she figures out. things i say, i pray she won't repeat (work in progress). earlier this week we were in the car, and as i chatted on the phone w/ my mom i heard elle talking to herself in the back seat: "ELLE! don't freak out!" "don't freak out?" what a statement to come from the mouth of a toddler. (then again, maybe she learned that judging by how i react to her and her crazy developments? hmmm... that would make sense.)

2011 in pictures.

...better late than never, right? but no links. i'm waaay to lazy for links. sorry dudes.

JANUARY

elle discovered pigtails, socks, independence, and i discovered glasses.

FEBRUARY

 

mike continues the tradition of the valentines 'stache. elle's valentines 'stache is made of cheese.

MARCH

lunch dates w/ daddy, and day dates for hubby & wife; general YW meeting; it's finally warm enough for the park, and elle can no longer be contained within these walls & doors.

APRIL

easter brings sunshine, while 18 months brings tantrums & tears. and drama. and laughter. of course! pictures w/ my kid start to become a serious adventure.

MAY

saying hello to the zoo and HAWAII again! oh, and goodbye to our red.

JUNE

stuff... including our 6th anniversary!

JULY

outings: park city, logan and vegas, baby! it was our "annual couples retreat," and it rocked. elle rocked her first parade.

AUGUST

pool, park, play, repeat. also an awesome work retreat. mike turned 29. i sank a birdie from 45 feet away- i hear this was impressive. i'm no athlete, so i'd like to brag for a moment.

SEPTEMBER

one big haircut. one last visit to the pool. one first visit to the fair. one non-first visit to stat-care for my bee sting. one almost-first visit to the ER for the babe. ow.

OCTOBER

someone turns two! that someone is sure she is belle, and not just for halloween. another awesome work retreat. elle's potty training is moving along swimmingly. we bike weekly to visit some stellar (sometimes hungry) horses.

 NOVEMBER

it's getting cold. time for the lights on temple square. and the christmas tree. and some real family pictures!

DECEMBER

a trip to ohio to see family is a fun but sleepy adventure. elle had her first ever cousin sleepover, while we dated again in logan. christmas is more magical than ever.

as i try and find pictures, i realize something not too shocking: there are thousands to choose from. no joke. hundreds each month. so many wonderful memories! such a wonderful year. we are so thankful!

see 2010 post here.