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.