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Saturday, September 26, 2009

Praise You

Yesterday I was getting ready to head down Sardine Canyon when I passed a tree; it's limbs were extended, reaching toward the Heavens as if in praise of the One who created it.
How appropriate.
I was on my way to see my new nephew, Alex Nathan Hansen. He was born perfect. Beautiful. Healthy. I felt the need to praise my Father in Heaven. For healthy babies, and Moms. For the change of the seasons and the beauty of this great earth. For safety, security, peace, love.
I am in awe of His great power and His mercy. I cannot see a new life come into this world and not see His hand in it. How grateful I am for all He does for us. I will also raise my arms in praise of Him.

Cami and Alex Hansen

Alex Nathan Hansen
September 25, 2009, 12:28AM
7 lbs 5 oz, 20 1/2 in

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

THREE


I still can't believe it. I officially have a 3-year old running around my house. Will really is a big boy now. He has become so independant: He gets food out of the refrigerator by himself (which is nice when I am wanting to sleep longer, but not-so-nice the rest of the time), he can use the bathroom all by himself (even though we are still working on getting him to remember to go), he can take his shoes off (but still won't try to put them on), get in and out of the car, put away his toys, get OUT his toys, say his prayers, put together puzzles all by himself, and color.

His personality has hit us full force as we have learned over the last year how stubborn he is. He is also sweet, which has been so fun to see with how he treats his baby sister, Annie. (Which he constantly reminds me is his baby girl and not mine). He is still shy when he first gets around people. Hugs, kisses, knuckles and high fives don't ever come free; if he gives you one, then he must really, really like you.

Will can count to 20, and his favorite number is "a hundred" (not one hundred, but a hundred). Will knows all of his letters and will even sing his ABC's! (This is a miracle because for the longest time he wouldn't let me sing to him. He learned it from his friend McKenzie Harvey). He is still obsessed with all things Lightning McQueen, but has also acquired a love for Thomas the Train this year as well. He said when he grows up he wants to be "a boy". He loves books, and especially loves it when his Mommy reads to him.
Just recently he has begun playing with the neighbor girl, Grace Perkins. He will walk over to her house and knock on her door to see if she can play. It is so cute. Yesterday he went over there with sippy-cup in hand and it made me smile; I know he is still a little guy if he is willing to tote around a sippy-cup.
We love our Will and can't imagine life without him. I am so glad he is mine!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

In my valid opinion...

Fall is definitely the best season. The temperatures are the greatest, the sights are spectacular, and you can finally get back to reality (I love being able to put Will down on time these days).
Sometimes it's okay to like totally ridiculous songs. No one will know if you are singing really loud to Miley Cyrus in the comfort of your own Jeep Liberty. (See Jen Lee, you aren't alone out there!)
It is the worst to pay for new tires on your car. No matter how bad you need them, it is still annoying to pay for them. I can think of about a zillion things I would rather spend $500 on.
Redbox could possibly be one of the best inventions ever.
Michael Jackson wasn't a sicko. I just think he was robbed of real life. I think he was innocent. Weird. But innocent all the same. I also think his music will never die- kind of like the Beach Boys.
Teenagers aren't so bad. Sure they smell bad and they don't know how to keep their hormones under control, but sometimes they can surprise you with some deep channelled emotion and a beautiful piece of art. I like them. I think I will spend some extra time with them for a few more weeks.
Coupons may be annoying, but they can also save you $29.00 on one shopping trip.
Sleep is overrated. Rocking your sweet baby girl in the middle of the night and watching her smile when she looks at you isn't.
Besides having your own baby, nothing is more exciting than when your sister has hers... we are patiently waiting over here, Baby Alex!
I have really missed watching good, well written sitcoms. Remember "Must See TV"? I am welcoming the return of The Office, and Grey's Anatomy with open arms. Reality TV is a severe waste of time. We should stop ruining perfectly good peoples lives by examining every move they make from the comfort of our own living rooms. I wonder how humiliated we would be if we watched everything we did on a daily basis on public television.
Boys will be boys. It is an inherent trait for them to be attracted to anything messy, loud, or annoying. My favorite time is when Will has just been pulled from a clean bath and slathered in lotion- that clean fresh smell only lasts about 30 minutes on that boy!
Birthdays are like magic in the eyes of a child.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

How You Get to Heaven

When talking to Will about the dangers of going into the street, we have told him about our little puppy Ozzy that was hit by a car a couple of years ago. Will knows that Ozzy is dead and is in Heaven because he was hit by a car. I have also told him about my Dad's brother Jay that was hit by a car and killed when he was only 3 and he is in Heaven with Ozzy where we can't see them right now.

Well, last night Dallas was putting Will to bed and they were talking about things that they were thankful for.

Will: And I'm thankful for Annie, and my toys, and Jesus.
Dallas: We are thankful for Jesus! Jesus loves us.
Will: (With a scrunched up little face) Yeah, but he was hit by a car.

Apparently, if you are in Heaven, you must have gotten there by being hit by a car. I think we will have to work on how Jesus got to Heaven a little more in Family Home Evening.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Coupon Gal

I just bought Progresso Soup at $0.63/can. I am now a changed woman, and it is because of these simple rules:
  1. Always save your coupons.
  2. Save your coupons until the item goes on sale.
  3. Buy in bulk.

Thank you, Carissa Pugmire and Allison Anderson. Just call me "The Coupon Lady".

www.grocerysmarts.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Oh dear...

I walked into our bedroom and on our dresser was Dallas' handgun completely dismantled. On our bed was our 2 year old son, jumping merrily away. I was annoyed. Gun... 2 year old... not really a recipe for a good time. I put the gun in Dallas' gun safe, and then he walked in the room.

Me: You're welcome for putting your gun away. (Imagine this dripping with sarcasm).

Dallas: What? If he could put that together, then he's a GENIUS.

I don't think he got it.

***Don't worry, normally all guns are very securely stored in our household. Dallas had just finished cleaning it. I promise we are safe.

Monday, September 7, 2009

Snapshots

There are moments in my life that I don't ever want to forget. A lot of times, these moments have embedded themselves in my memory as snapshots. They are usually simple moments that touch my soul.

Like the first time I realized Dallas was interested in me. I came back from a weekend in Kaysville to have my friend Whitney tell me that he was asking where I was all weekend.

Or when he took Erin and I four wheeling in his brown truck up in the mountains. At the time we weren't sure if we were scared for our lives or having the time of our lives.

I can still feel that moment when Dallas grabbed me by the hands, put his forehead next to mine and said, "Will you marry me?"

My stomach still turns when I remember walking down the aisle with my Dad, passing Ryan Thorne, and realizing that no matter the mistakes I make in life, some people will always be there to support me.

When Dallas and I were first married there was a lightning storm in Cedar City that hit in the middle of a snow storm. When the lightning would strike, the entire town would light up like the flash of a camera.

I don't think I have ever worked as hard at a job as I did when I worked for Movie Gallery. During those first few months I had literally worked myself sick. At the lowest point, after being at the store for about 15 hours trying to do my first inventory and fighting off a horrendous sinus infection, my District Manager, Jeff Madrid, got me on the phone and told me how important it is to just "take a break."

Dallas and I closed on our first house on the same day I started a new job. The tangible feeling in my life changed on that day.

Dallas' delayed joy at finding out that we were expecting our first baby. We both knew it was huge and that our lives would never be the same.

When Dallas and I were sealed and the sealer talked about our family we would have. At that time, only a few people knew about that teeny baby that I was carrying in my belly.

Will's first cry. Will's first noises. Will's first steps. The first time he said "Mama".

Selling our home and letting go of all our hard work and trusting it with someone else.

Seeing the "Yes +" on the digital thermometer when I found out we were expecting our second miracle.

Opening my Associates Degree from Utah Valley University and relishing in the "High Honors" sticker that I worked so hard for.

Will would drive his race cars across my pregnant belly and talk about how when his baby sister got out, he would share his toys and they were going to play race cars together.

Walking out the door to go to the hospital only to hear "I love you Mom! Good luck!" from my littlest man. He was no longer my baby. He really was our big boy.

Dr. Tayler delivering Annie and placing her on my belly saying, "Here's our Annie!" I knew she was sweet, but I didn't know how she was going to rock my world.

Placing the peaches and milk at the table and, very loudly, telling my grandma Jewel to have a seat at the kitchen table. I wonder if my grand kids are going to be the ones making sure I have my peaches in the morning one day.

Sometimes it is worth it to just stop. Close your eyes. And make sure you are committing these precious moments to memory.