Potty training, successes and woes!

We have now entered the realm of the potty training, and soon-to-be diaper free! I have very mixed emotions here though. I admit I am a perfectionist and a mild germaphobe. So allowing my want-to-be independent two and a half year old to control each and every aspect of the situation is hard. Most days, we are still in the early terrible two stage where if she gets frustrated/doesn't get what she wants, she throws a huge fit and cries like a banshee.  I find myself in a rock and a hard place between the two polar opposites. Most 2.5 year old's are out of the really "terrible" part at halfway and are somewhat willing to learn new things and listen to you because they want to please you, right? So why am I doing this I ask myself constantly? Because I do see signs that she is physically and mentally capable, so I made a go for it. I am trying my best to relinquish some of my control and relax because I have to for this to be a success.  The perks/hopes that keep me going is soon I will have an independent and confident toddler, and be saving money! Yes, there is the occasional accident of either #1 or #2, now mostly #2, and the cleaning up of either one is getting old. So I just pray that the next few weeks, that I can keep it fun for my daughter's sake and mine, so that I can celebrate with my confident 2.5 year old when she finally reaches that milestone! Here are few pics of our adventure! Wish me luck!

Summer happenings and Forced Family Time at the P&L Reunion 2013!

I realize its been a long while since I have posted anything. Mainly, because I don't like to be busy, so there isn't much to blog about. My Primary calling keeps me involved and I love the fact that most of our church doctrine is truly taught in Primary, the rest is learned/taught from going through the temple, and going on a mission. I really feel like the kids are teaching me most days. It's been such a blessing and joy so far to work with young kids. I see children in a different light, truly special and unique to our Heavenly Father's plan. It really does bring the scripture in the New Testament," a little child shall lead them" to a whole new meaning. The Primary Program is coming up soon, and I am even a little excited to see how well the kids remember the things that were taught. I know I have learned a ton! Anyway, in the midst of my fun calling, we had a family reunion for my parents and my siblings in Utah. This year, we made reservations on a house up at the famous Bear Lake! It was a blast despite the fact that I got real sick. Dan, Hannah and I flew out for a total of 11 days! The first weekend there we stayed with Brian and Heather at Heather's parent's home in American Fork. So nice of them and such a nice place! Visited some friends like Candiss and her husband as well as Robert Kuder, a friend of Daniel's from his mission. The next few days we're spent up at the cabin; boating, swimming, and spending quality family time. The last weekend, we attended a cousin's wedding, visited with some of Daniel's family, and toured some different areas of downtown Salt Lake City, much thanks to my wonderful sister taking us on a personal tour. Eventually I got better, and a special blessing allowed me to actually make the flight home :) Since then, life is getting back to normal. Once a week, I get to plan a get together for the mother's in the ward I attend. It is loads of fun, catching up with them and our kids getting the opportunity to play. Fall is on its way, I can't believe this year has flown by. Hannah turned two this year, and we had fun celebrating with a small party with just family. She is becoming a kid overnight it seems!One day she is crying and blabbing like a baby and the next she is talking almost full on sentences, and you can actually understand more than half of what she says! People were right when they told me that they grow up fast, and to enjoy it when they are young. I am working on that still some days. The other thing that has come quickly for me is my 30th. I can't really say too much, because I hardly feel that old still. Maybe its because I haven't changed that much since high school. I did find a few grays but a few is better than many right? I am also trying to enjoy my age and my time here on this earth. Recently, I had a friend of mine that passed away  in a tragic accident. He was in my home ward growing up. The hardest part of his death was that he was only a few months older than me. The reality that life is short has hit me hard. So, to honor my friend, I am doing my best to not be idle, tell the people I love that I love them, and making a resolution to be more aware of those around me.   Well, here are some pictures, because I know that you don't want to read a whole book. Enjoy!

Random but fun musings.....

Clearly, time is moving fast, and yet with a two year old, the days can seem to crawl, especially if it is raining outside. Today is one of the those days, which means I get to blog about those times when we are having fun. This weekend, there was a nice break in the weather, so Daniel and I took the opportunity to try out Kure Beach on Saturday. The best part was the drive down was just right for a young child. No more than 3 hours in the car, and we were at our destination. We took ourselves and our gear out to the beach, found a good spot, and got set up. Few mishaps occurred though, one, the shade tent we bought became a kite because of the strong winds, and our belief that a now older Hannah would enjoy the beach more, was way off. She cried almost the entire time because she hated the water and sun. She didn't really have much fun until mom and dad started playing in the sand, and then she decided it was okay to play along. By that time, we had been there for about two hours, and all of us were getting hungry. So, slightly deflated, we packed up, rinsed off and ate lunch at a nice park nearby. Thank goodness for shady parks, and swings. :)  To make our trip to the beach a little more worthwhile, we made a trip over to the Fort Fisher Aquarium which was so cute! The fish were fun to see as well as the different marine life, but I wish they had more things to do for adults since we paid more than anticipated for Daniel and I. Anyway, overall it was nice to get out and do something  different than just being at home. Here are few pictures for your enjoyment!

Reflections on parenthood

Yes, I am going to look back for a minute. Being a parent is the hardest and yet most rewarding thing I have ever agreed to do. I will say that I am glad that I didn't know everything that it entailed, or else, I am not sure that I would have done it, other than the fact, that I am following a commandment. My daughter has some unusual challenges, and they just seem to change over time as she gets older. They have gone from colic because of protein intolerance and possible allergies straight to the challenges of not being mobile and able to communicate, now to the "I want to do everything myself and do what I want to do! Aarrrggghhhh! I have heard it all, to it gets better because of this and this or its gets worse because of this and this. So yes, I love that my daughter can now feed herself, almost dress herself, understands me better, can walk on her own, and sleeps 12 hours a day in a 24 hour period! Which means I have some freedom again, why would anyone in their right mind what to give that up? Oh yea, there is that one thing I mentioned, following God's commandments. So I guess I am going to do my best to try and remember all the things that my daughter can do, the times she leans toward me for a hug and kiss, crawls into my lap just to be near me, when i hear her say mommy, laughs at me when i tickle her or make a funny face; all this moments help me forget the times that I have to take a deep breath or walk away because she is  behaving badly. Well, overall, I will say that being a parent has helped me become a better person even though it is not easy. When has anything been easy? As for other areas, I have also accepted a new calling in my ward. I am working in Primary as a counselor. It is so fun! I love working with the kids and I am so amazed at how simple the gospel can be, if we are just willing to do our part. Well, as usual here are some pictures of my latest adventures as a parent! Til next time!

Is it Spring yet?

This past few months have been super crazy. January and February have just been super cold this year and then March hit. One day its in the high 60's and the next day freezing. I am not sure whether to have the heat on or the A/C. To top things off, Daniel and I are still fighting illnesses. In the past 3 months alone, I think we all have been sick at least every other week or so. Colds and flu, off and on, in the first two months, and then stomach virus for all of us and last but not least, upper respiratory infection where Hannah got so congested she had to be on antibiotics. Luckily for Daniel and I, we didn't have to be on antibiotics, so that's a plus. Having kids is wonderful, but sick kids I can do without. On the bright side, we filed for our tax returns already this year, and have used that money to spruce up our house! We now have a fridge that will last another 10 years and have a bigger table so that we can seat more people! We did have some fun by celebrating Daniel's big 30 in February, and then in March, we attended a wedding of a good friend of Daniel's in Columbia South Carolina! March came and went fairly quickly thank goodness and April is here! I'm excited for this warmer weather, as well as, I was asked to work with the children in our ward as a Primary Counselor. I have to admit, I am in uncharted waters here, so here's hoping for the best. Though, I can't complain, I have some great women working with me :)  Well, wish me luck and enjoy the pictures!

Long time, no time for post...til now!

I realize that it has been a looooonnnnnngggg time since I posted anything. Really who has any time when you have young kids, plus I am sure we caught every virus out there this winter. :) Being inside all winter, has almost got me going crazy! On a good note, the past few months the holidays came and went, as well as the flu season is thankfully almost over! The holidays were fun! We spent equal amounts of time at Daniel's parents and my family for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. Daniel did have to work Christmas Day, but not til the afternoon, so we still enjoyed most of the festivities. Hannah was still a little unsure of the holiday, but that's okay. She loved helping us unwrap the gifts, and playing with them of course. She is getting bored with her toys now, but is learning new things each day, and can't wait to be independent (I can't either!) . She is getting very good at words like bye bye, daddy, mommy, uh oh, and has even got a few phrases like, Where is she? and What is that? It is so neat to help her learn new things! She even helps me get her clothes and shoes on, and loves to go outside! I am super excited for the warm weather, so we can go to the park more often! Well, enjoy some pictures, I know that is the reason I post most times anyway.