My profile

It's the moment you have all been waiting for... my mormon.org profile is officially up and running.  Check it out here.  And explore the site if you dare.  It's very informative and interesting for all faiths.

Rat Tail

She's bringing it back.

4 months

Four months ago today, almost exactly to the hour, my life was forever better.  Saige was born.  It's so heartwarming to think back to that day, our first moments together as mother and daughter, our instant bond, the wholeness she brought to an unknowingly missing piece of my heart.  I think back to my pregnancy with Saige and am so embarrassed.  It was a real struggle for me and I was so negative and faithless.  I was so stressed with the daunting reality that I would now have two little souls to provide for on our meager student budget, but if I would have only known... she is just what I needed.  She is my little comforter, our families peacemaker, warmth and happiness.  She is the absolute perfect baby, has been sleeping through the night since 4 days old (that's not a type-o), only fusses if she is tired, hungry, or being held by a blonde (weird, I know).  I thank the Lord everyday for blessing me with another one of His perfect, precious, daughters to love, because truthfully I think I need them more than they need me.

I posted the lyrics to the song Brave by Nicole Nordeman shortly after Hallie was born, but I just love it so I want to share my favorite parts again.  It is my anthem of motherhood and the absolute truth about how my girls effect me:

'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave

I am small
And I speak when I'm spoken to
But I am willing to risk it all
I say Your name
Just Your name and I'm ready to jump
Even ready to fall...

I've never known a fire that didn't begin with a flame
Every storm will start with just a drop of rain
But if you believe in me
That changes everything

I LOVE YOU SAIGE!

Gram came.  I miss her.

  We found Saige sleeping in deep thought.

 I lived in this spot on the couch for the first 3 months of her life.  It was nursing headquarters because it has the best view of the TV.

 Love Saige's face here.  Attack of the kissing sister.

 Best. Dad. Ever.

  Her blessing day.

Mother's Day.

I love her creepy smile...

... and her cute one too.

Her hair likes to do this a lot.  I don't know what to call it other than awesome.

LOVE her.

Eric's big sis

Rachel came through our airport the other week.  It was SOOOOOO good to see her!  Eric and I are so blessed with great mother's, brother's and sisters on both sides.  I seriously count down the days til we can finally return home to AZ and be close to everyone we love again.  3 more years...  but until then, I love it when our family makes the long trek out yonder.

I wonder...

...if these girls are sisters????  Can you tell who's who?

SOLD!

Recently my parenting world has been totally transformed.  I went from a toddler who was a super "hitter" to toddler who is a little angel.  What was the ticket...  Love and Logic.  I first heard of Love and Logic when I had a client with three-year-old triplets, an 18 month old, and one on the way.  Her children were SO well behaved.  I was beyond impressed.  I asked her what her secret was and she said "Love and Logic."  Well, I ran to get the book ASAP after that, but it got pushed aside, accumulated dust, and I forgot about it.  Thank heaven's for Courtney, my dear friend, who reminded me of the books, offered me her copy on CD, and rescued me from the frustration of parenting.  I have listened to the books, applied the principles for about 3 weeks now, and have a totally different kid.  Hallie, who was so cute but super sassy, is now even cuter because she doesn't hit, doesn't whine near as much, and is actually learning and growing through the Love and Logic methods.  She seriously hasn't hit for about 2 weeks, when before she was hitting multiple times a day.  Now, we were disciplining Hallie all along.  I thought we had tried everything possible, but we were doing it all wrong.  I am such a huge believer in the Love and Logic system now.  The book gives you SO many tools to use in frustrating situations and teaches parents how to celebrate mistakes instead of getting mad.  I am so excited about the outlook it has given me in disciplining and guiding my children to responsibility and confidence.  It is making parenting LOTS more fun.  I just thought I would pass the word along because it is AMAZING!  I am totally, 100% SOLD!

Hallie + Dax

These two are BFF's.  The moment they are separated, Hallie starts asking if Dax can come back over.

Sometimes they pick on each other like siblings.

Dax loves to tease Hallie....

... and Hallie loves to retaliate with violence.

But most days...

...she LOVES Dax...

...lots!!!

They are adorable together.