Inventory

I was reading a talk by President Thomas S. Monson from the last general conference, and I realized I need to do this: "I would recommend this same exercise to you—namely, that you take an inventory of your life and look specifically for the blessings, large and small, you have received."

So here goes.

1. A wonderful, wonderful husband and father. Chris is the best and so so so nice all the time. I couldn't ask for a better sweetheart.


2. My two, almost three year old Jack. He is fun and patient and oh-so-nice to his sister.

3. Sweet baby Hazel. I can't even remember what our lives were like before we got to see her cute smile every day.

4. Being a stay-at-home mom. There are few things I've ever been more sure about than the fact that where I want to be is home with my children. I am so lucky I can do just that!

5. My sister Lizzy serving a mission. It has been a long time since I've been waiting-at-home side of missionary service, and I forgot what a blessing it is to have a missionary in the family. I already feel the Spirit more in my life because of her service and experiences.

6. Old Bessie. Yes, she's still going strong, although she doesn't look as pretty...

7.   My wonderful in-laws.

Which cousin is missing? Yep...Jack.

8. My wonderful parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews

...and some small

9. The duck pond near our house

10. Frozen berries (since that's all Hazel wants to eat, now that she's teething)

11. Finding Jack's helmet

12. My calling in the primary

13. Babysitting trades

14. Good smelling laundry detergent

15. A nice camera

16. Skyping

17. Waffle iron

What are some of your blessings?

Money talk

I've been trying, lately, to teach Jack what money is. So far I've been completely unsuccessful. Here's a recent conversation we had.

Jack (holding a dime): "Look Mommy! A pretend candy!"

Me: "Jack that isn't candy, it's money."

Jack: "Be so nummy!" (nummy means yummy in Jack-speak)

So far, all he understands is that sometimes I carry these round metal things in my purse, and I like to pretend that they are delicious. 

Friends

These two are already such good friends!  Hazel is really starting to watch Jack. I think she's figured out that he's the most interesting person she knows, there's no telling what he'll do next! While Jack was "talking" to her on the bed today, she was giving him some little smiles (although I had a hard time capturing it).

And here is that elusive smile!  Thanks Jack!

Here are some more pictures from days past...

How we keep cool in McAllen!

Independence Day!

We had a great 4th of July, although we missed Chris a ton! I'm so grateful to live in a country where I'm not afraid to walk down the street, where we enjoy peace and freedom. God Bless all the troops who have sacrificed and continue to sacrifice to keep it that way!

Hazel all decked out in red, white, and blue. I took a picture as soon as she was dressed...before she had a chance to poop in it.

Jack waiting patiently for the firetrucks.  He LOVED the parade. What is better than watching all different kinds of vehicles drive by? He has been talking about the "Harade" ever since, reminding me about the really loud army trucks.

And here is our growing girl! Isn't she so pretty?

Long-ish Video

I wanted to take some video of Hazel just being a baby, and making baby noises.  Here it is (with Jack in the background playing paper airplanes).

Paper Airplanes

So, I showed Jack how to make paper airplanes yesterday for family night.  If I had known how much he would play with them, I would have done it earlier! He loved folding and unfolding them, throwing them (usually at me), and getting them "stuck" under doors, by the computer, etc.

 Getting a picture of a wiggly toddler in low light while holding a baby is challenging!

Hazel is growing!

Rain rain

 We've had rain the past two days, and it has been a welcome relief from all that heat!

 Jack had fun playing in the rain and yelling, "Raining!" at the top of his lungs.

Look! The sandbox is full! (Ignore the jungle next to Jack's sandbox...the yard is not high on my priority list right now.)

Cheese!

Hazel had a bath yesterday, and it tends to make her hair stick straight up, making it look like she has a mohawk.