Day 30- The End of the Day

Sometimes I just can't wait until the end of the day.  After being gone since 6:15AM, and only a quick bite for dinner, it's the time that I finally get to see my husband.  He is, without a doubt, tied for the top 3 best things in my entire life.

At 10:05 PM we snuggle up together on the couch, and we watch (or sleep to) Seinfeld.  I'm so grateful that even in the middle of this busy life, we still make time for each other each and every day.

Day 29- Today

Today was nothing special.  We got up, we did chores, we went to school, we went to work, we ate somewhere in there, and soon we'll be going to bed.

You know what?

Today was special.

I hugged my kids.
I read my scriptures on my Kindle.
I provided for my family.
I walked on my own two feet.
I talked to my Mom on the phone.
I ate a Butterfinger.
I drove around in a fancy car with a bazillion seats and Bose speakers.
I ate lunch with my husband.
I visited my Grandma- who is also healthy enough to care for my kids.
I took a nap.

Today was great.  I'm thankful for today for a billion little reasons.

Day 28- Baby, baby!!

I had such a fun day planned for today- it was a girl's day!  My Mom and I go to the Festival of Trees every year (where I cry my eyeballs out, every year), and then to Sweet Tomatoes for lunch.  Will was playing with a friend and then was headed to school, so Annie and I got loaded in the car and headed to Salt Lake.

This year was extra fun because my sister Cami and her little boy Alex were able to come, too!  The kids were ecstatic about every single tree- "Mommy, snowmen!", "the Grinch!", "Minnie Mouse!!!"- and we enjoyed the sights, smells, and sounds of the holiday as we chatted away.  I love being with my Mom and my sister.

We were almost through the rows of trees when I got a call from my brother, James.

"Amy," he says, "you are going to be an aunt twice over."
"What?" I reply.
"Kaydee is having twins!"
Shock.  No response.  I handed the phone to my Mom immediately because I was going to start freaking out and I wanted her to hear the news from James.
Next came JUBILATION!!!
We laughed and squealed and walked around for a minute in a complete daze talking about how there are TWO new little babies that are going to be joining our family.

BEST. NEWS. EVER.  We can't wait for all of these little munchkins next spring/summer.

Day 27- Give a Girl a Cookie

I'm the suffer in silence type (well, unless you're Dallas).  When I'm having "A Day" I prefer to be holed up in my house and left alone.  Oftentimes I won't even answer my phone or texts- I like to think it's because I don't want my negativity to rub off on others.

Well, today was a day.  I felt utterly exhausted.  Bathing my children felt like the hugest chore.  I had a zillion things to do to prep for the week before I left for work, and Will has ended up with (another!) odd rash on his face.  I was suffering in silence...

A friend sensed.  And acted.

She brought us a family of 4 sugar cookies from Kneaders and I'm telling you, it turned my entire day around!  So, thank you friend!  You were an answer to silent prayers this afternoon. 

Day 26- Someraults

Thanks to pregnancy induced insomnia, I found myself awake from 4:15 until 6:00 this morning.  I got up and made Dallas' lunch, and then settled on the couch to read until I felt tired again.  The whole time I was up, and until I finally shut my eyes again, my baby girl in my belly was putting on an acrobatics show.  It made me so happy.  I love nothing more than those little somersaults.

Day 25- Christmas

I love this entire holiday season, and I especially look forward to Christmas.  Christmas is cozy.  Christmas is peace.  Christmas is family.  Christmas is love.

We put the tree up tonight; the kids did a fabulous job and I didn't even need to rearrange ornaments!  Is it just me, or does everything seem happier in the glow of the Christmas tree?

Day 24- Home Sweet Home

No matter how much fun you are having, there is no place like home.  Along those same lines- there is no place like your own bed!

Christmas "Treat"

Today Annie overheard Grandma Kristie talking to Grandpa Mark about going and getting a Christmas tree.  She squeeled with joy saying she wanted to go, so Mark, Dallas, Annie and Seth hopped into the truck to go pick out the perfect Christmas tree.


It was all fun and games until they pulled into the Christmas tree lot and Annie didn't understand what they were doing.  You see, she thought Grandma said a Christmas TREAT.  She helped pick out the tree, and then her Dad and I couldn't resist letting her pick out a Christmas treat, too.  After all, how cute of a mix up is that?

Annie and Grandpa Mark with the Christmas tree..

 

 ...and Annie with her Christmas treat!

Day 23- Dallas' Family

Such a great Thanksgiving.  So many wonderful people.

Day 22- Siblings

We have the best siblings!  We get along with our familes on both sides.  It was especially fun this Thanksgiving as we gathered in the kitchen in Afton all working on the feast together.  The kitchen was crowded, but that's how a kitchen should be- bursting with family!

I had to run out and take a picture of Dallas with his brothers and Dad shooting in the back yard.  Four peas in a pod.

Day 21- Grandparents

I had a small moment this morning when I realized that our new baby girl will not get to meet any of my grandparents in this life.  I miss my Grandmas so much!  They were such beautiful women and always showed so much kindness and love.

Annie came in when I was crying and asked me why I was sad, so I told her.  She gave me a big hug and said, "It's okay Mom because one day we will die and our spirits will be together."

I'm so grateful that my kids still have their own Grandparents to enjoy, as well as 2 sets of GREAT Grandparents on Dallas' side.  We are truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful family.

Day 20- Revelation

I had an interesting experience at work tonight.  I was able to converse with someone that was so close to the spirit, which in turn helped me to feel the spirit as well.  It is always a good feeling to hear that your Heavenly Father is aware of you and is so proud of you.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Day 19- Austin

When Austin comes around he lets my kids jump on him for hours on end and never tells them to stop.  He is by far their favorite.  We don't get to see him very often with his firefighting job in Colorado, so when he stops by we take full advantage.

PS- Why do boys take such awkward pictures?  Is it really that hard?

Day 18- Mi Familia

We're going to Afton for the Thanksgiving holiday, so we got to spend Sunday with my parents to celebrate thanks with them.  It was super low key, but so nice.  Nothing beats roast, mashed potatoes, and good company.  I was so happy my brother Sam could be there, too.  He's so busy with work that we rarely get to see him.  We commiserated pregnancy together.

Day 17- New Car

"I'm not going to be one of those mothers slapping her kids around a mini van. I'm going to have an SUV- with 3 rows of seats."

 -Kelly Kupor, The Office

2003 Chevy Tahoe.  Anyone wanna buy a Jeep???

Day 16- Half Way

Today marks the half way mark in my pregnancy- 20 weeks!  This picture is from a few weeks ago (I think 15 weeks).  It must be said that today I was also very grateful for a nap.

Day 15- Healthy Baby

Today we had our 20 week ultrasound!  I have been looking forward to this day for weeks.  We already knew we were having a girl, but it is such a comfort to have everything else checked out- heart, kidneys, stomach, bladder, spine, head, brain- and to know that your baby is growing and developing normally.

She is getting so big!  I love to feel her stretch, move and kick.  She weighs about 11 ounces right now, and is growing right on schedule.  I'm so happy to be halfway through the pregnancy- not because I want to wish the pregnancy away (I actually enjoy being pregnant once the morning sickness subsides), but because we are that much closer to meeting this sweet girl in person.

Day 14- Big Brother pt. 2

I love that this is what Will was most grateful for.  He told me as he was getting out of the car after school, "I should have put SISTERS because I have two sisters now!"

Day 13- Big Brother

Will is only 6, but he is constantly putting the needs of his little sister before his own.  He has always been this way from the moment we brought Annie home from the hospital.  He's protective, caring, loving, and kind- even when Annie is the opposite of those things.  I'm so grateful that my oldest is such a good big brother.  I'm thankful for my big boy every single day.

Day 12- Finer Things Club

I love my monthly get-together with my best girl friends.  I love it so much, that when they show up to my house, I completely forget to take a picture of us together.  I feel so blessed to even know these women, let alone count them as my best friends.  Kalie, Erin, Whitney- thank you for being my friend after all these years.

Day 11- Forever Family

Every night as I tuck Annie in for bed, I get to sing to her.  She usually chooses the songs, but tonight she was so sleepy that I just sang whatever came to mind.  The last song I sang was one of my favorites, "Families Can Be Together Forever."

This song is from one of my earliest memories.  I remember sitting in my dark bedroom with my little brother Clay and my Dad, our faces lit up by the glow of the computer screen.  My Dad had a genealogy program, and one of the options let you play that song with the words.  It was a simple one sound, electronic melody, and we sang along together.  At such a young age I knew that the words to that song were true:

I have a family here on Earth,

they are so good to me.

I want to share my life with them

through all Eternity.

Families can be together forever,

through Heavenly Father's Plan.

I always want to be with my own family,

and the Lord has show me how I can.

The Lord has shown me how I can.

Tonight, in my daughter's room, that feeling hasn't changed.  I know our family is forever.

This testimony reminder came on a day that was special for another reason- our friends Brady and Angie Draper blessed their baby boy, Ryder W. Draper, in Sacrament Meeting.  It was the most tender of blessings, not a dry eye in the room.  He is a very special little boy, and he is in a very special family.  We are all so thankful for eternal families today.

Day 10- Snowflakes

Day 9- Date Night

Just the two of us.

Prime Rib.

Snow storm.

Christmas music.

Laughter.

Lots of laughter.

Christmas Shopping.

Cold Pepsi.

Perfect night.

Day 8- Cooking Kids

Sharing things that I love with my children makes me happy.  Today we played school; Annie was the teacher (Mrs. Stanley), I was the student, and Will was the man from the "Cobbler Factory."  We went on a field trip to the factory... aka, kitchen... where we saw the oven and the fridge where the fruit was kept.  The Cobbler man told us all of the different kinds of cobbler they made including peach, strawberry, lemon, blueberry, pink berry, and purple berry- complete with pictures hand drawn of each!  I promised the kids that tonight we would make the cobbler of their choosing.

After school we went to Smith's to get all of the ingredients.  Will chose blueberry- which I had never made before- it was an adventure for all of us!

After dinner was cleaned up the kids took turns measuring and pouring ingredients as Will read the recipe.  They were constantly checking it while in the oven to watch it brown and change.  I must say, the end result was delightful!   

Almost as delightful as making it together.

Day 7- My Kitty Girl

Today Annie and I went shopping in Provo- just the girls.  It was so much fun!  She told me what maternity clothes she liked on me, she picked out her own socks and winter hat (both 'Hello Kitty' brand), we shared Circus Animal Cookies and dark chocolate covered blueberries, while we discussed Mickey and Minnie Mouse and all of those other famous celebs- all in all, it was a glorious afternoon.

Annie is mama's girl, 100%, and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I wake up to her little voice and a kiss every morning, and I put her to bed singing "I Am a Child of God," "I Love to See the Temple," and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" every night.  She is my sweetie, and she is my best little girl friend.  I think it would be safe to say that I am Annie's girl, too.

Day 6- Right to Choose

President Barack Obama has just been elected for another four years.  It wasn't what I wanted, but I can't change the results.  I am, however, grateful that I got a chance to voice my opinion.  People say our vote doesn't count, but it does.  I believe it does.

I believe in this country.  I believe it is the greatest country on the planet, and I believe that with work we can put it back together.

Day 5- Just Run

Running has been a huge part of my life the last couple of years- this is no secret.  In the midst of all of the "mommy-ness", it allows me to be ME for a bit.  During this pregnancy things have changed.  Running is hard.  I struggle through every run.  I no longer feel like the "rockstar" runner that I used to.  It has been challenging for me to hold back and not push myself when I see my average paces steadily slowing.

It's just.... different.

Even with the differences, I still love it.  I feel blessed to have not only a body that can run, but a pregnant body that can run. Since I found out I was pregnant, I have:

Completed 30 workouts

Run 113.77 miles

Climbed 4, 056 vertical feet

Averaged 9:05/mile

Day 4- Family Time

The kids when they say their prayers at night almost always say, "Please bless that we can have fun and spend time together as a family."  Sundays are the best for this because Dallas works hard all week to finish his homework so we can have one day when we can be together without other distractions.

Tonight was a pajama, popcorn, kool-aid, Megamind kind of a night.

Day 3- A Picnic

We soaked up as much sun as possible at Wasatch State Park with Grandma and Grandpa Kaiserman, Jenn, James, Alli, Miles and baby John.  Chili picnics in November are a special treat.

Day 2- Work

I may complain about my job sometimes, but working as a server at the Claim Jumper has allowed me to make the maximum amount of money with the minimum amount of time spent away from my family- and that is very important to me.

Plus, it's good for a laugh on occasion- like when you get an IOU for a tip.

If anyone knows Pete, will you tell him that he owes me money?  Thanks.

The Gratitude Project- Day 1

The older I get, the more I love the Thanksgiving holiday.  I used to think of it as the kick off to Christmas, but it's totally different now.  I love this month for what it is- a month of gratitude.  A month to praise God and thank Him for the countless things He's given me.

Last year I tried to take a picture of what I was most thankful for that day, and I'm going to do my best to keep this a tradition.  This year I may not post a picture every day, but there will always be something named specifically.

Today I began preparations for my lesson I will be giving at the end of the month.  As I was reading the talk I'm to present, I was overwhelmed with how blessed I am to have a testimony.  So many people struggle and doubt, but I have been blessed with this knowledge from a very early age.  My testimony has grown so much over the years, but the basics have remained the same:  I know we have a loving Father in Heaven who sent us here with a plan for our own salvation and happiness, I know we have a Savior, Jesus Christ, who saved our souls and will comfort us at any time if we ask Him to, and I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the fulness of His gospel on the earth today.

This testimony is one of my greatest treasures, and one of my greatest blessings.