Ellenor has been keeping me on my toes the last couple of days. She is scooting like crazy and rolling when she can't scoot far or fast enough. Within 5 minutes yesterday she had my camera and computer in her mouth and made it to the other side of the room. Where did she learn to suck on her bottom lip?! That is also a new development, we think it makes her look like a bird, especially from the side because it looks pointed!

Yesterday I heard her just talking to herself after a nap and when I went in to grab her she was chewing on the bumper! Somehow she managed to get it untied and had a good chunk of it in her mouth. By the time I got my camera and tried to hold still from laughing she had taken it out of her mouth.

I do not know what I did to make my immune system hate me so much. I went to the gym last night at 10:30 and when I got home I felt great. But this morning I woke up and ran straight to the bathroom. I am thinking it was just something I ate yesterday because it has been a few hours since I last let loose and I feel alright. I obviously have done something. Today is the third time in the past three weeks that I have been sick. The first was a cold that lasted two weeks, then Cody and I got a stomach bug last weekend and now this morning. I'm just glad that Ellie didn't throw a big fit and went right back to sleep great this morning. It was extremely disappointing because I was supposed to go spend the day with my sister in law while Cody worked up in Boise. Oh well, next time!

Technology has decided that we are no longer friends and I have no idea what I did to upset it so badly. Just after I uploaded pictures from my camera of our amazing Memorial Day weekend it decided to just die. As in will not even turn on. Then our old laptop (which is cracked and the screen is due to fall off at any moment) decided it did not like my camera or the internet. Disappointing but eventually I will get pictures of this weekend posted. Eventually...

We spent the weekend in Utah with family and it was amazing! Monday was also nice being back in Burley. Wait, did I just admit being in Burley is nice?! WIERD! I actually got to make Cody breakfast and we got the yard looking all spiffy and nice. Our garden is also coming along nicely. We have a plentiful crop this year and we are just a wee bit excited for our food. I even bought squash at the store yesterday because I couldn't wait a few more months.

Last night was our young women's hike for girls camp. I was very nervous about  burning out and being the last person to finish because I haven't exercised in a few weeks due to being sicker than a dog. Oh and just life in general. But it was amazing. It wasn't very hard and the girls did great. What is even more amazing is that I survived! Not only did I actually survive but I was in the lead the entire way. Hiking is definitely being added to this summer's list of activities... for every Saturday. It was beautiful to look over this beautiful area that we live in and the weather decided it liked us and was perfect. Minus the wind but we know that wont ever, ever go away.

I have decided that I need to be more like this girl, just maybe not standing on the bathroom sink. Just be more positive in general. Yesterday was one of those positive days, I felt like I could conquer the world and it was amazing. I was so productive and got a lot done. I even registered for a class that starts on Monday. And no, I was not planning on taking a class this summer at all because of girls camp and going to Alaska and also just because it is summer. I only decided Tuesday night that I needed more to do because I felt like I wasn't doing anything with my time that was worth while. Anyways, I need to start being more positive and really just appreciate everything more and take time to enjoy this stage in our lives. Maybe I do need to stand in front of the mirror saying things like, "I love my house!"

One last thing... Ellenor had her 6 month appointment on Tuesday. It was a lot faster than the two and a half hours that the last appointment was. She is now an entire 14 lbs (25th percentile) and 26 inches tall (75th percentile). The best part was her doctor saying that "She is just like her mom, tall and skinny." Well, what a compliment or just a suck up because I am neither but thanks! Especially for thinking that 5'5"' is tall! OH and she is just about completely up on all fours, most of the time it is elbows and knees but there has been an occasional hands and feet, like a bear. It wont be long now until she is crawling. Too bad she has already figured out how to scoot backwards.

 

 

 

Three years ago I met a really cute boy in one of my classes. We talked a little bit and I thought he was special. We went on our first date on a Thursday and I knew that there was something about this kid. We spent a lot of time together and the next Tuesday I took a leap of faith. I invited him to go camping with me and my sister's family. I was so nervous that he would say no and it was the longest two days before he gave me his final yes. 

It was a weekend I would never forget. We spent time playing with the kids, he was so amazing with my nieces and nephews. We spent time around the fire and cruising through the mud on the ATV. He even told me that he loved me. 

As we were sitting in the cabin with the kids on our laps sound asleep watching a movie and drying off he took my hand and spelled out "I want you forever." I knew then that he was exactly what I wanted and that I wanted to spend forever with him.

I still wake up every morning and think to myself, is this real? Am I really married to the most perfect man for me? What did I do to get so lucky?! Every morning I have to remind myself that this is for real. I am this lucky and this is really my life. 

I never imagined three years ago that we would be where we are today with a little girl that we couldn't love any more than we already do. It is funny to look back at these pictures and see how little we were. And when I say look little I mean we really were little. I am the person I am today because of him.

A few random thoughts for this Tuesday morning…

-Sunday night I cried myself to sleep. I had just emptied my stomach but I wasn’t crying because I felt awful but because I knew that I wouldn’t be able to take care of my baby. Yesterday was so hard not being able to just hold her and play with her. Cody was amazing and took care of her all day while I sat around and did nothing but feel terrible. Oh and read a ton of blogs. He also willingly put Beauty and the Beast and Tangled on for me and Ellie to watch.

- My mother in law is amazing! Sunday morning Cody called his mom to ask if she had anything that would help him. By the time I got there at 7AM to pick up the 7 UP and medicine she already had her keys in her hands ready to swing it by. She also watched Ellenor yesterday morning for a few hours so that we could both sleep a little more and not have to worry about her. Gwen also called periodically the last couple days to just check on us and make sure we were O.K. We sure do love her!!!

- Next time we go out of town, well anytime we go, I am bringing my own running shoes. Just in case. Saturday morning my sister and I decided to go for a run and lo and behold, I didn’t bring my shoes. Wearing Cody’s with two pairs of socks only worked for the first 1 ½ miles. I can say with confidence that I never want to become a clown; the shoes would just kill me.

- This season of the Bachelorette with Emily is interesting so far. There are a few guys I like but most just seem like duds and are just weird!!!
-Saturday morning… the kids woke up and couldn’t decide on a movie. When I got out of the shower they were watching Care Bears and Wyatt said it was because they needed a movie that Ellie would like. They are already the best cousins!

- I am going to attempt to make a six layered cake. But not just any cake, a RAINBOW cake. That’s right, all layers will be a different color and to top it off there will be skittles in a rainbow shape. I’m just hoping that it will turn out.

- I am FINALLY getting a hair cut today!!! Hooray! It has been way. Too. Long!

- Our garden is starting to really sprout! BUT… last night Cody informed me that he might have sprayed my spinach (which he hates!) with roundup(weed killer). Good thing it grows fast so if we need to replant it we can!

-Miss Ellie has been loving food and is eating half a jar each time we give her some. She also thinks it is hilarious to put her hand in her mouth right after I shovel food in.

- Not being sick is probably THE best thing in the world!
- I am freaking out. Girls camp is in 3 WEEKS! It will be interesting to be a leader... But that doesn't mean that I still can't help with pranks.

We have driven over 15 hours in the last four days and Ellenor has done great! Thank heavens! Cody had work stuff in Roosevelt, Utah (literally the middle of no where) and we decided to join him. My evil master plan intent on accompanying him was to also visit family and it worked! We spent Friday night with my sister Jen and her family. The movie We Bought a Zoo is an amazing movie but it is also amazing at jerking tears right out of you, I was just glad there was someone else on the other couch who had leaky eyes as well. The best part if staying there besides homemade chicken noodle soup, amazing homemade strawberry jam, and great company was Wyatt asking "is your baby's name really ElleBor?" My amazing sister and her family Jessica also happened to get there earlier than planned, they drove all the way through the night... 16 hours! We were glad to see them, even though it was for just a few hours yesterday morning. As we were all in the kitchen/dining room at grandma and grandpas Jess's 5 year old Ethan tell us the funniest thing. He said he watched the scariest movie and when we asked him what it was he said "Once Upon a Time," the tv show. The reaction was perfect! We were laughing so hard as Jessica was trying to defend herself by saying things like "it was just on, I didn't think they were actually watching it!" You gotta love kids! When we got home yesterday I was informed that Cody's sister and her family was in town so of course we had to swing by! It's always good to see them! And any family for that matter, we kind of like them. Besides family not much is new. Cody and I finally signed up for a gym and we are so excited to use to! Ellenor finally slept last night and it was amazing! She has been teething for the last while and her tooth finally broke though 2 weeks ago but she only stopped sleeping well this week. I only had to get up twice to give her back her pacifier instead of every half an hour. I will never take sleep for granted again. About the same time I was getting up for the baby so was Cody but only to answer to the nastiest flu bug I have ever seen. Between his flu and Elli and my cold last week we should be good for 5 years, at the minimum. On a lighter note I officially got a 4.0 this semester! Go me! Yes, I even did a little happy dance when I saw that, it was prettier than a rainbow! This feels like such a random post... But we really aren't that exciting, just counting down to fun things and trying to stay busy in the meantime.

Last night was the perfect evening. It wasn't anything spectacular but it was one to remember. We ran to a friends to bring dinner and admire their new little guy and came home to have our own little picnic out on the front lawn. We sat outside for an hour. Just  enjoying the company and the beautifully calm weather (which is rare that Burley wasn't windy last night!). We have made a pact, well Cody just agreed, that we will be enjoying more meals, good conversation, and company outside in our yard this summer. 

Here's to more calm dinners and evenings not in front of the television or on the phone for work. Just enjoying the peaceful sounds of birds singing in the trees (until Cody starts for his gun) and playing with our cute baby girl and tickling toes in the grass.

She has got skills! Can drink a bottle and grab her toes at the same time! Silly girl!

There are dishes covering the counters, laundry sitting on the couch calling to be folded and also in the washer that needs to be switched, the floors are covered in crumbs that need vacuumed, and there is a bathroom that is in need of some serious TLC.

But I also have a sweet baby asleep on my bed, dinner in the oven, and a loving husband eager to get home from work to see his family.

Early today I was feeling guilty for not being productive due to still not feeling top notch. But listening to music that fills my home with the spirit makes a world of difference in my attitude. My house doesn't have to be spick and span to be a home. I don't have to finish project after project or bake seven course meals to be a good mother or wife.

So what, I didn't clean much today, I didn't bake anything grand or spectacular. But I did spend time with my sweet girl and took time to enjoy it. She finally laughed for me today and that was good enough for me. She laughed for me, her mom. Not for dad or anyone else around and that is enough to make today a great day. An amazing day.