Sittin' Pretty

Sometimes you just need the right motivation.  

Emily's motivation to sit up?  This Hello Kitty water bottle.  She is obsessed with it.

She's pretty content to just lay around.  She can roll, but just doesn't usually.  I discovered yesterday that she can sit up unassisted, as long as she is reaching for or holding the water bottle.  She doesn't stay up long (maybe 3-4 seconds) but we're pretty proud of our little eggplant. 

Sitting.  And wearing adorable shoes.

Looking slightly punch drunk, but sitting up really well.

Right after she fell over.  She's still happy, even when she falls.  Love this little tyke.

Christmas Part Two

Apparently I didn't take as many pictures of the Barnard family's Christmas after all. :)  Here are just a couple more.

Andrew with his gift from Santa.  He gasped when  he saw it.  That was awesome.

Me and my little guy

Here Andrew is, a little oblivious to the world.

Emily doesn't like the flash at all.  At least she's sporting a nice bow. :)

My gorgeous sister Amy.  Doesn't she just look nice?  (She is.)

Starting Out Right

Tomorrow starts a whole new year.  Sometimes I think resolutions are silly since it seems that everyone makes them, then abandons them by January 2nd or 3rd.

I truly think, though, that resolutions are great.  It's a good time to evaluate your life, think of the things you would like to change, and set reasonable goals to make those changes.

One of my resolutions this year is to get more healthy.  That means watching what I eat, remembering to take my vitamins, drinking enough water, and exercising.  I turned 30 this month, and I want my 30's to be the start of a healthy life for me.  For the last couple of weeks, I have been exercising and eating healthier.  I've lost a couple pounds, and feel better.  We got a treadmill on the 27th, and so far, I've walked/run 10 miles.  Woohoo!

I'm hoping that recording some of my progress here on my blog will make me feel a bit more accountable and I'll keep this resolution.

What are your resolutions?

Christmas Part One

Apparently blogger changed the way pictures appear.  I had just figured out how to not do it all backwards, and now it's the opposite.  So...follow me back in time, please.

We had a really nice Christmas.  It was laid-back, Emily loved all the wrapping paper and pretty lights, Andrew loved...all of it.  I love my family, and it was nice to spend the holiday together!

Emily lays amid the Christmas carnage.  All her toys have been stolen by her older brother, but she's perfectly content with that tissue paper there.

Mike and his tiny tykes.  They were both absorbed in  Andrew's gift from Grandma J.  Drew is also holding Emily's gift from Grandma J.  :)

Karen with her tiny kids.  Who refuse to look at the camera.  Andrew got that little dog  for  his first Christmas and then got it again this year. :)  He was really excited about it.  He takes it to bed every night with him.  And please ignore my exhaustion in this picture.  I'm just glad I was able to keep my eyes open for the picture. :)

Andrew moving the mouse on the advent calendar to the 24!  Santa's coming tonight!

Our family on Christmas Eve

Andrew hanging up his stocking.  He thought they looked best on the tree.

Emily hanging her stocking.  She wasn't quite sure what was going on, but she looked adorable.  :)

I will add Part Two soon.  I know you're on pins and needles.

Because They're Adorable.

 Here's Andrew "sleeping."  He was just too adorable sitting there resting the book on his leg.  He is so cute.

Wearing her cupcake hat and mittens.  And making me laugh like crazy.

Yep, they're adorable.

Shhhhhh......

Our little tykes are growing up.  Andrew has been able to crawl out of his crib since he was a year old, but hasn't (amazingly enough).  For the last couple of weeks, he has been getting out and reading in his bed rather than sleeping.  Emily is growing up so fast and will soon be too big for her bassinet, so we will need a crib.

Andrew moved to a toddler bed on Sunday night.  He hasn't napped since, but does well sleeping at night, even though he's been going down at 6:00 (because of not napping).  Emily spends part of the night in the crib, and takes her naps in there.  They have both been not sleeping well lately and I feel extremely sleep deprived.  When I start to get frustrated, I try to remember that these times won't last forever, and our little kids won't always be so little.

I know that someday, Andrew will no longer run to me yelling, "My buddy!"  Someday, he will no longer call Emily "Willy."   He won't always beg to watch "Fostee da Snow-an" and "Boos Coos."  He will not run in circles for no reason or fall asleep in my arms.

 Someday, Emily will no longer stick her legs straight up and suck on her big toe.  Someday she will have teeth, and I will miss that amazingly silly gummy grin.  She won't always use a pacifier and hold onto blankies.  She will grow up. 

I feel so blessed.  I love my little kids.  They are worth every bit of sleep deprivation and every bit of frustration.  Neil L. Anderson quoted a lady's blog and she said it perfectly.





“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in.

 It is what God gave you time for.”

Santa, Tree, and Us

Getting our Christmas tree.  As usual, Andrew was as cooperative as a 2 year can be.

We love Christmas around here!  Andrew is old enough to be excited for it this year, plus it's our little Emily's first Christmas. It'll be here before we know it, and we're just trying to enjoy the season while it's here! 

At Bass Pro Shop waiting to see Santa!

We went with some friends of ours.  Here they are in "Santa's sleigh."

Sorry this isn't the best quality.  I had to take a picture of it since we don't have a scanner. :)  Andrew was so excited to see Santa!  Emily was a little confused by the process, but was as usual, very pleasant.

Even though she gets into some weird situations sometimes.

Little Sweetheart

In case you need a cute baby fix, here you go!!!

Such a happy little gal.

5 months of cuteness

Funny Fae

Snowmen

Andrew is just about the cutest thing.  We put some gel clings up on our back door with Santa, snowmen, and a penguin.  The other day I looked over and Drew had taken the inside of the penguin, removed the nose, and had it laid out over a snowman.  Then I realized what he was saying.  "The daddy and his baby."

Seriously?  Where did he learn to be so cute?

Daddy and Emmie

These two love each other!

I love when she cradles his head like that.  She adores her daddy so much!

I love the matching smiles!  Love these two so much!

Because I can't help myself.

These JibJab videos are Andrew's favorite thing.  Click on the link below for the newest.  :)

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/fiGB7uGvBWqDKeR2?cmpid=jj_url

Argh.

Argh?  Is that a proper word for one who is frustrated? 

What is it about religion, politics, and child-rearing that can make people into raving lunatics?  Today, I am super frustrated with those who seem to be unable to respect others' opinions.  Luckily, this isn't something I deal with very frequently, as I like to keep my views on some subjects (especially politics) quiet. 

I believe it's important.  I have opinions (of course.)  I'm thankful to live in a country that makes it free for us to express our thoughts and beliefs.  I just really hate hearing people fight, purely based on an opposite opinion.  My frustration doesn't come from people stating how they feel, my frustration comes from the intolerance of others' feelings and opinions.

That probably makes no sense.  But I had to get it out, and decided that Facebook (the main contributor to my frustration) was not the way to go.  :)  I wish there was something called Fightbook, so people could fight about the state of the union and I wouldn't have to be part of it. 

Argh.

Thankful to Catch Up (ie Picture Palooza)

  I'm grateful that I started blogging about things I was thankful for this month.  Although apparently the last week or so I have totally slacked off, I still have been thinking a lot about what I'm grateful for.  It has definitely helped me see the bright side of life, as well as made me more grateful for what I have, especially the people in my life.
  Sometimes it's easy to look at other people and wish we had what they have, or looked the way they look, or whatever.  It's easy sometimes to look at our lives and think they're not much to talk about.  In reality however, things aren't always as they seem, both in our lives and in others'. 
  For the rest of this year, I am going to focus on the positive and work to show my love for those around me better.  I love Thanksgiving, because it puts me in a good mindset.  (Plus the food is amazing.)  I love Christmas, because it is the perfect time to celebrate the joy of life, and to celebrate our good fortune and blessings.  We think more of Christ and long to be more like Him.
  I am thankful for Christmas lights and hot chocolate.  I am thankful for silly Christmas movies and walking in the snow.  I am thankful for family and laughing until my sides hurt.  I am thankful for chilly weather, scarves, and seat warmers.  I am thankful for a knowledge that my Heavenly Father watches over me and loves me more than I can comprehend.  I am thankful for all of these things, but mostly I'm thankful that I am taking the time to be thankful for them.
  I am thankful to be thankful.

Emily's first Thanksgiving!

Worn-out baby snuggles with Grandma

Me and my Mommy!

Andrew chills with a cousin at Grandma's house



Andrew loved being ridden around on this bike at Amy's house.  His favorite part was going over the dirt pile.  I think we have a future Evil Knievel on our hands.

Emily is such a strong little lady.  She likes to be on her tummy more now and manages to bite or suck on her fingers all the time.

She loves the monsters on Andrew's wall.  Anytime we go in there, she will always find them and smile.  Sweet little baby!

Cute little cheeks!!!  Andrew and Emily loved the Christmas lights!  He wasn't too keen on sharing at first (note him pouting in the background) but after a little while he was saying, "Here-dee go, Willy.  Cool wights."

Sharing.  What sweet little kiddos we have.

Me and Emily

We attempted to get family pictures last weekend.  This was one of the better shots of Andrew. :)  He wanted to get down and play, so wasn't being the most cooperative 2 year old in the world.  (Cooperative and 2 year old don't usually go in the same sentence.  And for good reason.  :)

A New Day

Today I am thankful that today is not yesterday and that tomorrow is not today.  I have had some sort of bug the last couple of days.  Yesterday I felt absolutely awful, today I feel a little lousy, and tomorrow I will feel much better!  I just hope nobody here catches it.

Home

Yesterday (oops) I was grateful for home.  We were visiting family this weekend, which was awesome, but there's nothing like coming home.  I'm grateful to have a home, and to share it with my family.

Parents

Today, as I always am, I am thankful for my parents.  I will be 30 next month, but I still rely on the steady rock that is my parents.  I know I can always turn to them, and they will be there. 

My dad is loving.  Andrew and Emily both love him, and I distinctly remember loving to sit on my dad's lap.  He is funny.  I mean, the guy is amazing.  He can remember any joke, and always has one at the tip of his tongue for any situation.  That's pretty good, but the fact that he can remember basically anything he's read....ever (!) that's amazing.  He is so smart, and so detailed.  My dad is always thinking of his kids, and is a wise daddy with very good advice.  I love to hear him play the guitar.  It's so soothing, and I know I got my love of music from him.  My dad loves my mom, and that has never been something we had to question.  Of all the things my dad is to me, he has become a marvelous example of how a husband should love and revere his wife.  It helped me make my decision of who to marry, because I knew I wanted someone to love me like that.  I'm so grateful to him for seeking out the church, remaining faithful, and teaching me.   He's the best, and I love him with all my heart.

My mom is...incredible.  Warm, generous, kind, funny, clever, great cook, amazing grandma, and solid as a rock.  My mom was put on this earth to be an angel to her kids.  She is so kind.  She always has something good to say about someone else, and is so in tune with the spirit to know who needs her.  Heavenly Father started teaching her at such an early age about who he was and what the truths of the gospel were.  She was ready, even then, to embrace the truth and live accordingly.  I know I'm not alone in feeling that my mom is the woman on earth I most admire.  This week while talking to my big brother, I said, "Mom is so great." He responded, "She's perfect."  And she is.  She will certainly read this and shake her head, feeling that she's not all that we think she is, but the truth is, looking to our mom as an example has done nothing but strengthened me and caused me to be better.  When I think of the typical idealistic grandma, I am thinking of my mom.  My kids both love her and it's so fun for me to see them getting to know the lady I love so much.  It's hard for me to express really how I feel about her, but this is a start.

I love you, Mom and Dad!  Thank you for letting me come to live at your house!

Days of Eternity

I'm three days behind.  Whoopsie.

Today I am grateful for 3 days that have shaped my whole life, as well as my eternity.

August 13, 2005

I married my best friend in the temple.  I know we will be together not just "until death do we part" but forever.  I am so grateful for that, and that we made the right choice.

 June 2, 2009

I met Andrew, my favorite little buddy in the world.  He was so little, so perfect, and I loved him right away.  It is an absolute privilege to spend my time with him, to raise him, to love him.  I'm glad he's our little guy.

June 22, 2011

I met Emily, my sweet little gal.  She was so so SO tiny, so beautiful, and so pleasant.  It's hard to imagine our family without our little tiny one.  I am so happy to have her in my home.  I love this little one.

November 19, 2011

Today I realize that what I do today will affect my eternity also.  If I choose to read my scriptures, I will be fortified and happy.  If I spend time with my family and show love, I will become more in tune with how to become a better wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.  Each day is the next step toward eternity.  And I am grateful to realize that.

Calling

I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for so many reasons, but one major reason is that we have the opportunity to serve.  We don't have a lay ministry, meaning that every aspect of the church is voluntary.  I've served as the music leader in Primary, the Primary President, a missionary, and many others.  Right now I have the privilege to serve the 12-18 year old girls as the Young Women President.  I was nervous and felt a little overwhelmed at the call, but I do know that these callings come from God, so of course I said yes. 

I have learned so much, and has loved every day with these funny, cute, sweet, spiritual, kind, motivated girls.

I'm grateful for this calling, and for all the callings I have been given and the amazing things I have learned.