BotCake Birthday

A Happy Birthday to my favorite engineer!

Happy Birthday to my Best Friend!

Here's 30 reasons why I love you on your 30th birthday (in no particular order):
1. You have an enormous loving heart.
2. You are so funny! You always make me laugh.
3. You like to have fun and play.
4. You are my knight in shining armor.
5. You think. A lot.
6. You like to discuss ideas of life, science and the gospel - or all three at once.
7. Your testimony.
8. Your projects - especially "Sandwich"
9. Your intensity for life.
10. You always try hard at whatever you do.
11. How you make the bed and put the pillows on just right.
12. You are the bestest funnest Dad.
13. You are an endearingly wonderful husband.
14. How when you vacuum, there are perfect lines.
15. Your long showers :)
16. Your blue eyes.
17. And while we're on physical, your butt :)
18. Your scruff after not shaving and working outside.
19. And how good you look clean shaven in a suit.
20. How you make me feel safe.
21. How you did so, so, so much for me when I broke my legs and still do some things to save me pain. I owe you so much - I'll take care of you forever when we're old!
22. How you play with and love dogs.
23. How you love Sir Duncan Bones even though he is a cat.
24. Your honesty.
25. How you drive.
26. How you are so willing to help others.
27. Your enthusiasm for always making yourself and helping me to become a better person.
28. Your hugs.
29. How you are able to make others comfortable.
30. Your kind wonderful voice.
There are so many more things I love about you, but you'll just have to ask. No matter how long I've known you, I am constantly amazed at how this list continues to grow!

Little Girl, Lots of Spunk

Home on the Range

Ranch Relaxin'

A little R and R at my grandparent's ranch (we affectionately call it "the cabin") this weekend. We all soaked in some Vitamin D while enjoying the big sky and wide open spaces. I'll post some pictures later when I get to unpacking - probably Wednesday or Friday at this rate!

Congrats to my second cousin McClane who came home this weekend after a faithful 2 year mission in the nether reaches of Canada! Ladies, this cute guy isn't going to be on the market long - cowgirls need only apply.

Time flies...here's our first family photo with Livy!

A Week of Doctors

Sometimes life is just crazy. Earlier this week I was playing the "Where are you?" game with the PeaPod and when I grabbed her to say, "There she is!" with a pop I dislocated her arm. Yes, I did. It just hung there. It was awful. One emergency room visit later (with Nana and Papa meeting us there) and a heart wrenching scream as they placed it back into place, she was good as new. Note: never grab little ones by the arms, only the torso!
Today started out very normal with the mundane like making the bed, emptying the dishwasher, PeaPod waking up, diaper change, breakfast, bath time, change of clothes, phone ringing constantly, playtime, and such. Then we were jetting off to Primary Children's again (I don't even want to count how many times the Pea or I have been to doctors and hospitals this year!). The hospital is a great place to learn patience - no matter if you have an appointment or not, there will be a long wait. The Pea didn't mind since the waiting room was chalk full of "new" toys and little friends of varying health. The hospital is also a great place to count your many blessings. The actual appointment was short and sweet with a summary of what we already knew that Pea was in need of ear tubes - it was a long time for the doctors to reach this decision, but I'm glad she will feel better afterward. Added bonus: not so many doctors visits!

Embracing the Domestic Goddess

I love dryer sheets. Yes, they smell fabulous (especially Mrs. Meyer's geranium scented ones!). Guess what the best thing is about dryer sheets is: they are numbered. So, if there are 80 dryer sheets in a package and you use one dryer sheet every load, that means that you know EXACTLY when you have reached another level of being a Domestic Goddess! I just finished a dryer sheet package today. I have done 80 loads! Yeah, I'm a Domestic Goddess.

Growing Roots

My Pussy Willow branches are growing roots! Soon I will be able to transplant them from the indoor vase I have had them in to the perfect spot in the backyard. They will be wonderful for shade, childlike wonder and privacy in the future. I too have been growing roots. It has happened just as quietly as my willows. We have been in our home for a year. I have made homes in a number of places over my adult years - a number of apartments full of roommates, hair and hormones, then on to a small dingy apartment in L.A., a number of stays at in-laws' basements and homes while between states and living quarters, the lovingly nicknamed "bowling alley" family housing of Michigan, the blissfully white and clean apartment post grad, then again thankful to have open armed in-laws with an empty basement and then on to this beautiful home. I have been so blessed to have grown so much through those years - I guess one cannot NOT grow through a myriad of roommates with different personalities, undergrad, various jobs and volunteer positions, marriage, joining the "real" workforce for a large corporation (think The Office), continually searching and focusing my goals through study, prayer and blessings to ensure I was following God's plan for me, undergoing the rigors of graduate school with no income, learning from my body how to manage migraines, weight gain and SAD, living long distance from your spouse for a year, again joining the "real" workforce in an area which the profession is primarily male, blissfully becoming the queasiest pregnant person ever, becoming a mother and subsequently having an unforgettable year full of its own blessings and mishaps. That's the Reader's Digest version. And yet, despite all those blessings allowing myself to stretch and grow, deep down I know I am like these willows: I am being tenderly grown for a particular spot in His garden and though I see so much growth in myself, He sees these buds as just the beginning. My Dad always says, "Bend like the willow, Annie." Am I brave enough, strong enough to do so for His will?

Be Still My Heart

When I saw this picture I had taken a few of weeks ago, I just couldn't believe it! This is my little 13 month old daughter - all 19.5 pounds of her! There is no doubt she is independent. There is no doubt she is determined. I do doubt my ability to allow her to grow up as fast as she is determined to!

Help! The Bed is Eating Me!