Forget Me Not

I absolutely adore President Uchtdorf. Whenever I am having a rough go of it, I read the following talk, and feel absolute peace.

Forget Me Not 

1. Forget Not to be Patient With Yourself

Sometimes life is messy. Thank heavens for Brawny.

2. Forget Not the Difference Between a Good Sacrifice and a Foolish Sacrifice

VS.

'Nuf Said

3. Forget Not to be Happy Now

 This is my special someone :) He makes me pretty darn happy!

4. Forget Not the Why of the Gospel

 

 Rafe & I are going there some day

5. Forget Not that the Lord Loves You

How could I ever forget, when I have this blessing in my life?

Life Lately

Sometimes I become a little lazy with the blog. But then find pictures like these, and realize it is time for an update! How could I not share this beautiful face with the world! 

So here we are, June 7th, 2012. Little Rafe Henry is not very little, gabs up a storm, prefers sitting to laying, and standing to sitting. I feel like each day moves faster than the one before, and I cannot get enough time with him! Looking through a few pictures, I keep thinking... 

"how could someone not be in love with Rafe?"

Look at that double chin! You see the chub on your baby and think, "oh, it'll be gone once he grows a little more"

Guess Again Mom!

Summer so far has been such fun! Rafe loves the trampoline, and I love seeing him smile! Nothing better than rolling & bouncing around with my pudgey boy, listening to his squeals and giggles. We eat (almost) big people food now...

Spaghetti !!

And are working on our splits....

First Time at the Zooooo!)

My little brother (Uncle Jedediah) graduated from high school on May 29th, and the whole family could not be more proud! My brother is a very special person. Such a rock for our family, and always a great example of service and love! We all get along so well together lately :)

Maddie looking fabulous... Jed & I.... looking fabulous too ;)

It's been fun living with all the siblings back under one roof... Rafe & I are lucky to have so many loving people around willing to help out!

Phinn is always around as well, to snuggle & give kisses

Along with summer time fun, I have been working on a few college class online... boy is it harder than I thought! Early mornings/late evenings are really the only time of day that I have to study, and burning the candle at both ends has left me exhausted.

Rafe & I on the night of my 22nd Birthday (please ignore the formula on his chin)

Although we are not looking our best, this was the only recent one I could find on my phone of us. I have very few pictures of Rafe & I together, which is sad! Hopefully we will get more this summer :)

This year has been such a weird yet wonderful year. I am learning more about myself every day, and enjoying watching Rafe grow every second! He is so smart... I cry every time I watch him grab his binky and put it back in his mouth the right way... just a few months ago he didn't even reach for the binky when it fell out! He loves when someone holds his hands and helps him walk around a room, he army crawls/rolls/scoots every where, and just wants to be wherever the party is! Soon he'll be walking on his own, and starting to say words like "no" and "cookie". Can't wait!

Not a day goes by where I am not amazed at how blessed we are. This is definitely not the easiest life to live, but so infinitely worth it.

St. Georgey

Time to play catch up!

St. George was quite the weekend! Rafe was wonderful for the road trip there and back, he's such a trooper! The next few days we relaxed by the pool, tried swimming for the first time, went on a fantastic hike (had a little back pack to put Rafe in.. Thank you Uncle Mark!), went to Nielsen's Frozen Custard for the first time (Rafe loved that part of the trip), and enjoyed spending time with the family.

Passed out right as we were filling up the tank to head out!

Bumble Berry was a Favorite :)

Nanna Thunell bought the adorable swim outfit for Rafe on Easter, and we were so excited to try it out! In addition to this fun filled weekend, Rafe came down with a runny nose and slight cough, which after a Dr appointment on Monday we determined to be from allergies. So we are on our final days of the antibiotic, and things are looking up! More teeth are on their way in, and we are getting good at walking! (while holding Mamma's hands, of course..) such an exciting time right now with little man. He was 8 months old yesterday, and I know I am going to blink and we will be blowing out the candles on his 1 yr birthday cake! Gah!

So grateful for all the wonderful people in our lives who help us out... from Wendy, the best baby sitter in the world, to grandparents, aunts and uncles who help watch Rafe and give him loves. We are very, very blessed!

Over & Out

FHE

Huzzah! Rafe & I planned our first Family Home Evening Monday night, and it went beautifully. I received some pictures from his nanny of him enjoying a swing, and thought to myself, 'Self, we should take that boy to a park'. After Cafe Rio with Auntie Maddie we went to the park and had a grand ole' time.
The swings were the highlight of the night, Rafe definitely enjoyed going higher and higher... what a daredevil! Although it is probably my fault... when I was about 8 mths pregnant, we were visiting family in Logan and there was a huge rope swing over a little river bed... probably not the smartest thing to do at such a size, but I was feeling adventurous and it was definitely a fun rush!

Why are you all up in my face Mom?

Weeeeeee!!!!

After the swings we tried out a few slides, most of which we came out of with our hair sticking up on end. Rafe's favorite was the tube slide, he giggled the whole way down. We wrapped up the night with tummy time (which is now becoming more like hands and knees time!!! but still no crawling...) and a warm bottle.

A special shout out to Nana Thunell, it's her birthday!

Rafe & I are heading down to St. George this weekend to have some fun in the sun! It will be his first time in a pool... I am SO excited!!! Not that he doesn't look in his birthday suit, in the tub... but the swim suit he received for Easter will be adorable :)

Life is grand!

Update Shmupdate

If you didn't already know, I love my son.

He loves his wonderful nanny, Wendy, and I love when she sends me pictures of my little prince during the day! It is wonderful to have Rafe be with someone who loves him so much while I'm at work. Though I miss him like crazy, I know he is in good hands! Here is what Rafe has been up to!

I'm on a BOAT!

Rafe weighed in at about 18 lbs. at his last appointment, and I am convinced he has packed on another two since then. The kid has grown out of all his clothing, and though shopping for summer clothes is fun, the "8-12" month labels are freaking me out!

"Future CEO" - Pic taken while playing with Wendy

He likes to find people who are sleeping and wake them up.

Trampoline & Crazy Hair

Joining Mamma at work some mornings

Little man has TWO teeth! Don't ask to see them though, because he'll just stick his tongue out at you. But on the very bottom of his little mouth there are two perfect little pearly whites. I love watching him figure out how to use those teeth, either when biting into a little 'puff' or chomping on my finger.

Rafe + Food always makes for a good time...

Flashing Milk Smiles

Most Attractive Face Ever

Yum Yum Teething Biscuit!

In his handsome Easter outfit from Grandma Gear!

We are so excited for the summer- sunscreen, jogging stroller, swim suits, shorts, polo's, sandals, sun hats and more!

This I Know

I have a Heavenly Father who loves me.

Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer.

The Plan of Salvation is the plan of Eternal Happiness.

And though someday I die, I will live again.

It's been a miraculous couple of weeks. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints held the 182nd General Conference, and I was fortunate to be able to watch every session (thank you Rafe). It is such a blessing to hear the word of the Lord delivered through the voice of living Prophets. I am especially grateful to the talk given by David S. Baxter. Everyone who heard it or has read it will know why. What wonderful proof that my Heavenly Father hears my prayers.

This is the Gospel of Happiness. I know this because I have searched for happiness in many other ways- and none of them brought me the peace and joy that Christ has. I feel no shame, nor embarrassment professing my love for His Eternal Truths. And though trials will never cease in this life, I am grateful for them. They are helping me become someone I dreamed I could be, but never thought I would be.

No matter your circumstances, love Christ. And He will guide your way.
 

Rafe Face

Sleepy Face

"Blue Steel" Lips

Old Man in the Sink

Pondering

Before He Could Smile, The Scowl

Snoring

Channeling His Inner Jackie Chan

Crinkle Smile

Practicing the Smirk

'Sunday Best' Smile

Channeling His Inner Jackie Chan... Again

"Seriously Mom... this is the 36th picture today..."

All I can think of is a Chipmunk...

Next Top Model

Oh, Hello!

Do You Smell Popcorn?

Wide Eyes

Watching Basketball... *Game Face*

Again with the Camera?

Spit Up? Where?

No words for this face...

He knows He's Good Lookin'

I'll Be Your Valentine Mom :)

Hehe... Yes, I did have a giant pooh
And yes... this is a princess shirt I'm wearing

Watching a baby grow is the most wonderful thing I have ever seen.
Love You Sunshine