Happy Anniversary

Five years ago I married the most handsome guy the world has ever seen. And tonight we went out for a nice little dinner and remembered all sorts of funny things from when we were dating and earlier in our marriage. I remember thinking he was too cute to not be stuck up. Lucky for me, Alyson made me go with her to say hi to him and I quickly realized what a nice guy and what a catch he really was. We were friends for almost a year before we started dating. And dating Julio was so much fun! We've had even more fun since we've been married and I've realized many times since then how lucky I am. Julio, you are my best friend, the most talented and motivated artist I know, a great spiritual leader for our family, the hardest worker, a loving and attentive father, a great example for our children, my perfect match, the funnerest person ever, rediculously smart, and the hottest guy I know! I don't know what I did to deserve you but I'm thankful and I'll keep you. Happy Anniversary Babe!

A Time of Miracles

As many of you know, my husband has been searching for work for the last few months. He's had several good interviews and several responses to the effect that companies are cutting back on the number of people they're hiring. It has definitely been a test of my faith. I am fortunate to have a husband who fixes computers, designs websites and logos and business cards, and knows how to network computers together as well as the 2d and 3d animation he's been studying. Because he has so many talents and skills we've been able to survive on side jobs that have often miraculously come his way. The other day I was driving home thinking about how blessed we've been to be able to survive so far and how worried I felt about paying this next month's bills. I said a prayer thanking Heavenly Father for all he's already done. I said "I know you've already given us so many miracles but we need one more." A few minutes after I got home, yet another person called looking for Julio to do some work for him and it will work out to be a little more that what we need. I don't tell this to get anyone's sympathy because I don't feel like it's a trial anymore. I want anyone who reads this to know that God answers prayers and looks out for our needs. I know it. He has blessed us time after time. We have seen so many miracles these last few months that it's been truly humbling. And what a blessing to have it happen at Christmas time. I hope we all remember at this time of year that the reason we're all going crazy shopping and running to parties and wrapping presents is because a little more than 2000 years ago God blessed us to have His Son among us. We can't bake Him a birthday cake or wrap a present for Him. All we can do is give the gift of loving others. I think that's why we give gifts, donate for those less fortunate, and gather together with friends and family. And isn't it amazing that this time of year seems to bring out the best in most of us? I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and that you will be as blessed as we have been.

Alma 7
"9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—^aRepent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God ^bcometh upon the face of the earth.

10 And behold, he shall be ^aborn of Mary, at ^bJerusalem which is the ^cland of our forefathers, she being a ^dvirgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and ^econceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and ^aafflictions and ^btemptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will ^ctake upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him ^adeath, that he may ^bloose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to ^csuccor his people according to their infirmities."

Toddler Antics

My children crack me up. This morning Eliana had a friend come over to play. Since both my kids feel a need to pull out every toy and throw them on the floor before breakfast I suggested to her that she clean up her room before her friend arrives. To my surprise, when I got out of the shower I looked in the room and all the toys were gone from the floor. "Wow" I thought "She did it!" About a half an hour later, Tavian went to climb in his crib and this is what we found.
She had thrown half of the toys in his crib and the other half were shoved behind the door. I had to laugh.
And yesterday Tavian made me laugh too. While we were outside I decided to mow the lawn. (We have a push lawn mower so no loud noises or fast blades that could cut fingers off or send rocks flying at children's heads. It's nice for me because Julio is often so busy he can't do it and I don't want to leave the kids in the house for an hour while I mow). Tavian likes to "help" me push it around the yard and usually I'll push the outer parts of the handle while he pushes the inner parts of the handle. Well, apparently he decided he's big enough to do it on his own because after crossing the yard twice, he wanted to do the third row without me touching the lawnmower. He tried with all his might and the thing didn't budge an inch. So I stepped in and started pushing with him. He got mad and pushed my hands away so I let him try again. After a while I stepped in again to push with him and this time he got so mad he stormed off into the house and refused to come out to play. I laughed so hard my sides hurt. He has to do everything on his own lately, which means I find chairs scooted over to the shelves or sink and anything I do for him like pull up his pants, he has to slide them down and pull them up again himself.

I've been tagged!

Chances are that if you're reading this you've been tagged. Okay so let me think if there are 7 random or weird facts about me...

1. I have been to more than half of the states in the US but only really lived in AZ.

2. I love reading a good story, so much so that when I get really involved in a book I don't cook, I don't sleep and I don't know what my kids are doing.

3. I have the worst memory in the world, except when it comes to movies, where I can remember things in ridiculous detail (a completely useless talent).

4. I am the cheapest person in the world. I can make a homemade pepperoni pizza for about $2.

5. My favorite pastimes are sewing, doing yardwork, and cooking.

6. I am a firm believer in the power of procrastination. I've been known to put off finishing chores for days. (I was tagged days ago and put it off for this long.)

7. I love all those dances most people hate like the macarena, the chicken dance, YMCA, line dances, etc.
I think I only blog with 7 people so if you're reading this and want to do it I tag you.
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving also.

Another Pregnancy Update

Well I'm as big as a house and still have 3 months to go. The baby is great, growing right on schedule as far as size is concerned. When they did an ultrasound a few weeks ago the ultrasound lady said it looks like a girl but because the legs are crossed she can't tell for sure. So we really don't know yet but we will. Tavian was an emergency c-section because he was so large (9lbs5oz) he couldn't get out the other way so they said they'll do an ultrasound on this one a week or two before the due date to see if it's a big baby too and if so we'll c-section this one too. So I got one more chance to find out before the baby's born. We're doing well. I'm too bulky to do some things now but working on staying in shape and make room for another baby. In other news Julio has been doing design work and websites and tutoring and of course searching every day for a job. He's finally got an offer for a job starting in December and hopefully will find something in his field soon after that. This is a tough economy to be looking for work but we both know the Lord has always blessed us to meet our needs and will do it again.

Pictures from Halloween

This is one of the only pictures of Tavian I got in his Halloween costume because he fell asleep 15 minutes after the ward Halloween party started and the ones from Halloween night didn't turn out. He refuse to wear his hood but he was Winnie the Pooh which he loved.
Here's princess Eliana. She had enough fun to make up for what Tavian missed, getting her face painted, doing the cakewalk, fishing for treats, running around with the other princesses and of course trunk or treating.

I thought this picture was so cute. Eliana and I had a talk about modesty this week because she likes to get undressed or wear her pants so low her belly hangs out. So here she is making sure her shorts are high enough. It was hard not to laugh because she was trying to pull them even higher so her belly wouldn't hang out. What a good girl huh?

Happy Birthday Tavian!

My little Bubba is not a baby anymore! Tavian turned two on Tuesday. It was such a good day for him and so nice that we all were able to be together. He's such a big part of our family I can't remember what it was like before him. He has the softest touch and the sweetest most sharing personality I've ever seen. He has a constant smile on his face and is always pushing himself to do more and better. This last Sunday I offered my hand to help him out of the car and he almost took it, then with a determined look on his face pushed my hand away, said "Take away me momma" and got himself out. I love my little Tavie! We all worked together to make it a special day for him.
Eliana and I got up first thing in the morning and blew up a whole bunch of balloons. The above picture is Tavian right after he woke up. He has such a fun loving nature and with all the squeals you'd think we had just given him the best most amazing gift ever.
Grandma and Grandpa came in the afternoon with lunch and presents. Here's Tavian opening up one from Mom and Daddy. He had so many presents he got distracted by the first ones and didn't want to open the last ones. That was great for Eliana though because she "helped" him by opening the last one.
Eliana loved Tavian's gifts as much as he did and the two of them made noise the rest of the day on all Tavie's new toys. These are music playing maracas. He also got a keyboard and a play guitar so you can imagine the joyful noises that exuded from our home!
Even Grandpa took a turn jamming on the new keyboard.
Tavian didn't want to blow out the candle himself so we all helped him with that. This was my first attempt at a character cake so I am pretty proud of it.
And here's proof on Bubba's face that he enjoyed the cake. He and Grandpa are great buddies. Thanks so much Mom and Dad for helping make Bubba's day a special one.