Goal

So far, 2013 has been a lot of wonderful, a little bit of hurt, and a ton of learning. Rafe is growing up healthy and happy, learning lots, and surprising me with something new every day! He can open up doors, flush a toilet, brush his teeth like a pro, point out a cookie a mile away, fold his arms for prayer (when he wants to) and get into absolutely everything!

One morning we were running a bit behind to get Rafe to his nanny, and I had to run back into the house about 5 times before we left the driveway... and then, at the end of the neighborhood, I realized I had forgotten to include his bottle with his bag!

Now, as soon as I realized this, I became super frustrated- like, how could this morning get even worse? And while I turned the car around to head back for the bottle, I started to ponder. Rafe really loves having a bottle before nap time, and I hadn't remembered to bring the bottle today, most likely I would have forgotten the next day too. Was I really going to let this ruin our morning car ride with each other? Then I looked back at my smiling baby boy. Whenever something frustrates him, he cries or throws a tantrum for a bit- but after a few minutes, he's distracted by something else, and can be happy the rest of the day. I decided that instead of getting angry with myself for forgetting something, I should see it as a blessing that I remembered his bottle before it was too late. (Nanny texting me around nap time asking if the bottle was in his bag anywhere)

It is really easy to get frustrated, and let something small ruin your day. After waking up with Rafe early in the morning, getting him dressed, putting myself together for work, driving to the nanny, driving to work, being on a headset for 8 hours, getting off work, picking up Rafe, going home, dinner, bath, bottle.... It's easy to not even remember all the tender mercies that happened during the day! My goal this year is to look for the tender mercies. With Rafe, at work, with my family, and in my personal life. 

I am so blessed to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life. I am blessed to have the love and support of a family, especially the love of my sweet son. We are hit with speed bumps all over the place, but as long as we keep our eyes forward, and endure- all will be well in the end.

paige

New Year

Spent an afternoon discovering Scheels!!

Solo project again! Guacamole Salsa!

Dinosaur Museum with the future Missionary (little brother)- Thank you parents for the pass!

Year End Review '12

Year End Review of 2012:

 Chasing Rafe ALL over the church building on Sunday's...

 Finding Rafe half clothed around the house... (those are his pants he had thrown out of his play crib)

 My own solo attempt to bake- Sweet Potato Casserole which I brought to work to try and impress the coworkers :)

Thanksgiving Day!! Rafe spent it with the other side of his family, but we had a great morning together :)






















Aunt Maddie's Birthday! The big 2-0!

My attempts to give Rafe a Santa beard with bubbles....

Rafe officially started walking about a week after his 1st Birthday... and hasn't stopped moving since!!

 Opening Christmas Presents!! Christmas is better with a child :)

 The super cute pajamas Grandma Tami made- which he grew out of about a month later!!

 We are going through more toilet paper than a family of 12....

Favorite Activity?? Brushing Teeth! (hoping this lasts...)

My attempts to get a 'Rudolph' photo of Rafe... not even going to give a full blog description of that disaster.

All together, the end of 2012 was fast, exciting, full of hugs & kisses and love! This little man is the greatest blessing in my life.

 

Mommy Blunders

My precious offspring will be 1 in just a few short days. I love him so very much, and I am so excited to sing "Happy Birthday" to him, and see him chow down on some yummy cake!

Unfortunately, after being bruise-free for a record amount of time, while working on our walking outside, big ole' Bailey came waltzing by and knocked Rafe over.. and now he has a goose egg on his head. Just in time for his birthday! Good thing we got some beautiful shots last Sunday of my sweet sugar lump!

Try and tell me he is not adorable! I dare you!

The other day I was thinking to myself, "Oh wouldn't it be lovely to go see a movie IN the movie theater? Dress comfy yet stylish, drive down to Thanksgiving Point, purchase a seat in the middle of the theater, grab popcorn and a drink, sit down on those big comfy chairs, and..." right in the middle of that thought came another thought..."oh, that sounds like the perfect setup for a nap! I could go to the movies to take a nap!!"

Oh vacation. I am so excited for you.

#6 days till Canada! 

(still don't understand the hash tag thing I've seen all over facebook.. but wanted to be cool like my social media friends)

Also, I absolutely love being a mother.

Lovely Literature

For all of you who received this book in January, I cannot give a higher recommendation to read it ASAP! Each page has beautiful messages given by leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and has wonderful illustrations to go along with it! There is a message in it for every woman, in every circumstance. I absolutely adore this book and can't wait to read it again.

"You are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these principles how great and glorious!- if you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.... If you will be pure, nothing can hinder."
- Joseph Smith

Mommy Blunders

• hopped in the car to take Bubs to his Nanny, realized halfway there I wasn't wearing any shoes
•  gave Bubs a piece of bread to snack on before realizing the bread had nuts
• forgot to pack extra clothing (in case of blowouts) yesterday... oh wait, that happens almost every day
• not realizing Rafe, in his attempt to scale my face, has pushed my shirt down a little too low.. at church
• those looks at a restaurant when people see Rafe spit up all sorts of healthy food, but can sip my Dr Pepper from a straw like an Olympic Champion..

No matter how bad the day, I truly love my life, and being Rafe's Mommy is the greatest blessing

My Dad

Extremely late post for Father's Day.

I have a wonderful father. This is why.

When I was still trying to hide my growing midsection, he took me aside one day to talk, and encouraged me not to worry about the opinions of others. He said he would sit on our front porch, holding my hand for the rest of my pregnancy, and let the whole neighborhood walk by us without batting an eye. A few months later he signed as a witness on my marriage license, and then a few more months later held me close while I cried my heart out on the night I moved back home with Rafe. He has shown me what true sacrifice means, and I hope to follow his example in my own life.

Thank you Daddy, for never giving up on me.