Precious moments

Sometimes, since I've become a mother, I've had some moments in my life that I just want to bottle up and put them in my pocket so I can always have them with me. I don't know if it's just me being crazy pregnancy hormonal or what but really, children are so precious. They make everything that's hard or frustrating or anything seem worth it. I love my sweet Kimball. Today I had to lay him down for a nap in my bed and decided to lay down with him for a minute and he just fell right asleep lying curled up next to me, one arm slung over my stomach, mouth open, and all of the sweetness that comes with watching your child sleep. Sometimes I can't help but marvel at how much I love my baby. I am so grateful that I get to be a mother, and that in 20 more weeks I won't just have my sweet Kimball but my little Lincoln as well.  Man, being a mom seriously rocks.

I just wanted to put up this picture because it's adorable, and I miss Koen! Also, I didn't realize it until we bought them matching shirts but I cannot wait to buy my boys matching outfits! I don't care how cheesy of a mom I am, it's adorable.

I am Thankful

I just want to start by saying, I LOVE this time of year!!! I've been listening to Christmas music since the beginning of November, and I have no shame! I think it's funny when people "confess" on facebook about that, because I think a lot of people do and like it, they just are silly. So anyway, I'm finding this time of year to be refreshing. There's just something about the weather changing that makes everything seem wonderful.

I really wanted to get on here though, because I've been thinking about how we need to be grateful always, and this time of year is here to remind us of that. So I just thought I would let out all of those feelings of gratitude I've been feeling lately.

I am grateful for my new, little, and still growing family. All of it. I don't think Jacob gets enough credit sometimes for how wonderful he is. Not only is he hardworking, loving, and funny, but he is sweet, determinded, and the best person I could ask to be with. I am so thankful to be able to have him by my side forever. I love having a partner, companion, and best friend. Words don't really express my love and gratitude for him. I also am so thankful for my sweet Kimball. I am so grateful for the gift of motherhood. There is nothing like watching your little man grow and change and learn. He is so funny, so smart, and so perfect. Of course it's challenging, but nothing in my life thus far has been as rewarding as being a wife and mother.

I am grateful to be pregnant. Maybe that's silly but I enjoy being pregnant. It's hard in the beginning, and unpleasant in the end, but it is such a sweet process. Knowing that I am growing another little member of my family inside me, and what comes at the end of it all, and getting to feel those sweet kicks and tumbles... it's just amazing.

I am thankful for the Sunbeams we teach on Sundays in church. We have about five of them most times, and they are not only sweet, but so funny! Every Sunday is a new learning experience for us, and we always leave church with a smile because of them.

I am thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love the gospel. The scriptures truly teach of Christ. I know that life isn't meant to be perfect or easy, and that the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us to have faith and remember him always, and we will ALWAYS be okay. I believe that we need to experience hardships, because we truly become who we can be through them. And so, for all of our challenges and trials over the last few months, I am very grateful. It has taught us quite a bit.

I am thankful for my family. So many have helped us in so many ways. We have been so blessed to have family around us to support us where we are and where we are trying to go. I love my family. I am so grateful to have been raised by such wonderful parents, and for siblings who I love so much. I am also grateful for my new extended family. I'm thankful that I don't have to feel awkward or uncomfortable around them, and that they are people I love to spend time with.

I am thankful for so many things. For this holiday season, for a roof over our heads, that we have enough to take care of our needs, laughter, good friends, and all things that we have been so very blessed with. I love my life. It's interesting because I've been watching the news more now than I ever have in my life (mostly because Jacob likes it so much), but I've really become intrigued with how people value things. That we have to have so much money and that success is valued by how much stuff you can have. To me, I am rich. I have all of the things I need to have joy in my life, even if everything around me isn't perfect.

I think I just get worse at blogging the longer I have this thing... Either way, I decided to update.

So first of all, I just want to say it's almost 10 pm, and I am exhausted! Is that what parenthood does to you? Knowing that I am going to be awake by AT LEAST 7:30 am, which isn't the worst time I've had to be awake, but who wants to be awake then? That probably sounds really pathetic to most people. So sorry for all of you productive people, who are, obviously, more productive than I seem to be, yes, I am lame.

I think that those of you who read this have the general "down low" (or whatever), on my life, so I won't share it all. We're happy and at least trying hard to be where we should be, if we're not in our "ideal" situation. Last night Jacob and I had actually discussed where we are in life, and I totally realized that I am not the best person that I could be. So I am going to try to be better. I remembered reading this artice from General Conference, and I'm spacing on who actually gave the talk, but he quoted President Monson saying (essentially),

                                "Fear not, for your future is as bright as your faith."

When I first read that it really touched me, made me feel like Jacob and I really could do whatever it was we decided, so long as we were doing all that we were in faith and with the guidance of the Spirit. And then we got to Utah, and things didn't work out how I thought they would, or how Jacob thought they would, and I quickly and easily let that thought slip through my fingers. And last night is when I finally realized that. After that, and a wonderful conversation with my amazing mother, who shared her words of wisdom with me, I realize that everything will be fine. That I need to deal with my problems with faith, not fear. The only thing that will accomplish for me is making me stressed out, and who needs that... So as of now, I am resolved to be of better faith, a stronger support for my husband, and a more tender and loving mother of my precious baby boy.

One year

So I know I'm a few days behind but I still wanted to get this up here before things change and I forget. My little man is one year old... Where did that year go? Oh yeah, it went to my Kimball. I cannot believe how much things can change in such a short amount of time. This time last year, I was just trying to stay afloat figuring out how to be a mom and still get to eat and shower myself as well. Now Kimball and I (and Jacob of course) have our own little schedule down for most days of the week, and we eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and our snacks sitting together at the kitchen table. I love it.

I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the concept of a year. How did I get from this:

To this:

Kimball is now running everywhere we go, saying, "bye bye," shutting himself into rooms and then knocking so I will come and get him, trying to hang out with the "big kids," and throwing away his own diapers (with lots of encouragement from mom and dad). He is the smartest kid I know. I am so proud of all he does.

We got him some blocks for his birthday, and he loves to knock them down and mess them up.

I really enjoy this kid. I can't imagine life without this little family that I have. So, happy birthday Kimball! I love you more than I can say!

And we're walking!

And there you have it - my baby is a walker!

Since Kimball has been born, I have come to appreciate several things in my life.

• The smell of a freshly mopped floor (because that means that it's clean from clutter and germs!)


• Time with Jacob (sometimes I forget just how good of a friend he is for me)


• Watching how fast my baby is progressing


• Teaching Kimball and seeing him pick it up


• Quiet time


• Cleanliness in general (it's just so nice...)


• Sleeping without being woken up by anyone, or when I am, it's by my baby crawling over my face and screaming

I love my life. It's awesome. Kimball is my baby angel monster. He is into so much right now, and everyone keeps telling me that when he really gets the hang of walking it only gets worse! I don't know how that's possible.

Speaking of walking, he's taken six steps in a row now! We tried getting a video last night, but he was too tired. So I'll try again today and see what we get.

Slap happy

Kimball's new fetish

My kid is crazy. Don't worry, the sock is clean.