Birthday Zoo Day

Gregg's birthday was a couple weeks ago and he wanted to take Emme to the zoo to celebrate. It goes to show the kind of dad he is that he wanted to do something for his daughter instead of himself on his birthday. I foresee many more birthdays where he makes it about his kids. Emme loved the zoo and we loved watching her experience animals we always talk about in real life. She is finally at an age and the weather is good enough that we are able to take her to the zoo and have her understand what's going on. I can't wait to take her back and I'm sure it will be a summer hot spot for us.


To my delight the giraffes were by far her favorite part. I didn't even have to persuade her in any way. Although the multiple giraffe stuffed animals she has couldn't have hurt. :) We had to work extra hard to get these pictures because she couldn't take her eyes off them.











I can't even tell you how long I've waited to have a child pose in front of the gorilla wall.





Telling daddy about the elephants.

Egg Hunting in Idaho

We were able to go to Idaho for conference weekend. As usual we had a blast and were able to get in an egg hunt, kite flying, and lots of treats. Emme loved finding eggs, but had to stop at each one to eat some of the candy.

Spring Vacation

We got to take a trip with my parents to St. George recently. We also spent a day in Vegas.  After packing a million things we forgot our camera.  Thank goodness for phone cameras or we'd have no proof of this vacation at all. 

Gregg and Emme at the outlet mall in Vegas. 

Grandpa and Emme at the Ferrari dealership.  We paid for "VIP" access, but weren't allowed to take any pictures while inside.  We also went to the Shelby Museum at the race track and got to watch people drive expensive cars. 

Emme loves my dad and he was good enough to pack her around most of the day. 

Waiting for the fountains.

She loved when Vegas came alive at night.

Enjoying warm weather at the park.

It was sad when it was over and Emme cried when my parents left.  She kept asking for grandpa the rest of the week.

Geneology

 I was four when my grandma died.  I also maybe only have four memories of her.  Some of which include her making us peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with homemade bread/jam and another of her cleaning a wound on my foot after I had stepped on a nail.  I remember loving her unconditionally and getting lectured by my mom that I was going to wear her out.  A term I didn't understand at the time. 

What little memories I have of her I've always held close.  Thanks to my understanding of families are forever I knew, even at that young age, that I would see her again and will see her again.  

You can imagine my enjoyment when a couple of years ago I had the opportunity with the young women in my ward to have a private tour of the Relief Society Building at Temple Square.  Because we had a connection to someone in the General Primary Presidency we got a special tour through the offices of all the women auxiliary presidents.  In one of the locations, there was a huge binder full of woman's names who had donated to the making of the Relief Society building.  When I searched for some names I knew, I was delighted to come across my grandmother's name. 

 I daydreamed of her surrounded by other women in her ward hearing the news that the Church was needing donations for this special building.  I know my grandparents were never wealthy and I softened to find this hidden treasure and the fact that she too had a strong testimony, so much so that she would donate what she could even though they had little.  Yes, maybe there are thousands of names in those binders, but it meant the world to me that I would find a grandmother's name who had been long gone.

I have had a lifetime without her, but I know we have forever together.   

It Hurt For a Reason

 Imagine being a little kid at school.  You were told at the beginning of the day that you would receive a cookie if you were good and did everything your teacher told you to.  Some of the kids in your class were bad and some were obedient just like you.  The time comes that your teacher pulls out the desired treat and starts handing them out to everyone.  You notice everyone getting one even the naughty kids while you are left standing without.  "But why," you ask the teacher?  "Just because," she says, "It's not your time." You watch as others enjoy their cookies.  It makes you sad to have to watch while you desire it so much.  Lo and behold she brings out another box!  You think for sure you'll get one this time.  Yet as the box becomes empty you realize you will again go without.  This happens a few more times.  Didn't you follow the rules?  Didn't you work just as hard and even harder then some of the kids?  Why do you not deserve a cookie, even a morsel?

Of course I'm not really talking about cookies at all...

I've been thinking a lot about "those still waiting."  My heart aches for them because I know exactly how they feel.  Gregg and I will have to work for every child that will come into our family, but at least now we are parents.  We have someone who calls us mom and dad, who gives us kisses before bed, who reads us books in her own language, who has constant snot and drool coming from her nose and mouth, who dances to the hot dog song, who sings to us in the car, and most of all someone who needs us just as we need her. 

So as I watch her grow and her personality shine through I think of those left sitting without a cookie waiting for their time.  Don't they deserve it as much as the rest of us?  They most certainly do!  For reasons unknown to us there are those who suffer from infertility.  Including myself.

So of course there is a reason we cry when we're left childless year after year because parenthood is great.  It really truly is.  Is it hard?  Of  course, but that's for a whole different post.

Recently, one of my best friends told me how her family had started telling her she needed to "get over" her situation and be happy for those who were getting pregnant around her.  I also recall a few comments to myself that if we were to never have kids in this life we would need to be okay with that eventually and support those who have kids.  I didn't want to support other kids, I wanted my own.  Call me selfish.  I realize it's nice to fantasize when you have 4 or 5 kids screaming at you all day and you just want some peace and maybe even wish it would be nice to have no kids at all, but that is not okay to say to someone that is trying their very hardest to be a parents.  Trust me, it gives no comfort. 

Have patience with those around you who are waiting.  Don't take it personally if they aren't ecstatic and asking all the questions people ask when you're pregnant.  It's really not personal.  If we didn't face this challenge we'd be right along with you, but we do face this trial and there are days that we are hurting to the core yet we still have to sit and listen to our coworker or whoever talk about their pregnancy all day. 

I guess the point I'm trying to make is just please give those a break who are suffering from infertility.  As we try to overcome our bitterness and demons there will be days we cry or are mean or just have to leave the room.  I apologize for that, but like I've said our pain is real and it is valid.  Why?  Because parenthood IS great and parenthood is a noble thing to desire.

Yo' Dude

What's up in our neck of the woods you ask? Survival of winter. Although it has been a very lax winter we are ready for warmth. I always wonder why we don't have a trip planned to somewhere tropical this time of year. I mostly blame the green stuff for that.

Poor Gregg had the Klondike campout with the scouts and loved freezing for two days. Have I mentioned that on top of 2nd counselor in the young men's Gregg is also scout master? Punishment for his teenage days let me tell ya.  I am also 2nd counselor in the young women's so we like to think of Tuesdays as date night.  Expect for the fact that we're separate most of the time and dinner consists of In and Out at nine at night.  Luckily the YW president's daughter has been taking Emme for us during mutual.  She comes into YW soon, so I'm not so sure how that's going to work out.  Suggestions at keeping a one year old busy during mutual?  Sundays are also hectic and I'm often told I look exhausted.  Not sure how to take that exactly other than "you look really bad today."  Good times.  Hopefully it doesn't sound too much like complaining.  I love the YW program, love the women I serve with, and love the girls.  I guess Gregg and I just feel a little like we're failing at our callings is what I'm trying to say.  We hang in there though.

Emme is her usual busy self.  I'm told by many people how active she is.  Gregg and I are pretty used to it and have the house Emme proofed for the most part.  It's not easy when she's let free at new places, but she is really good to ride in her stroller in the mall or cart at the store.  For how energetic she is, she doesn't mind being strapped down like a lot of kids do.  I think she's a normal 1 1/2yr old and the calm relaxed ones are the odd ones.  :)  Her new love is climbing.  I'm actually glad she can climb now because I don't worry so much about her on things, as she can now get down by herself.  It's still not unusual for her to take the crash landing route once in a while.  She still puts everything in her mouth and loves to eat paper.  Her newest thing is to reach into the fireplace and grab pellets and sneak them in her mouth.  I can't get her to eat certain foods, but she'll eat ash.  I don't get it.  She loves to talk on the phone and will give a big MUAH to who's ever on the other line.  She's a little cuddle bug and gives the tightest squeezes before bed.  She loves her daddy and screams with delight when he gets home from work.  I love that she is understanding us more and more and learns a new word almost every day.  She's our smarty pants.  I wouldn't have her any other way than our zippy, ash eating, Emme.

We're all looking forward to March.  St. George, Beauty and The Beast on Broadway, and family coming for the Hunger Games premiere are all on the list.  Bring on Spring!  

We Are Family

 It's becoming tradition to have our Christmas party on New Years Eve.  It makes it easier for our large family to all come together at the same time. 

My parents recently finished their basement, so we had a great space to hang out.  They decided to keep the wood paneling in the family room and I like to think it makes for a perfect backdrop.  

My mom jumped at the chance to do last minute family photos and I soon regretted not doing my makeup that day.  Oh well, might as well post them on my blog for the whole world to see.  


I sure do love this family. 

Us being the hilarious people we are...decided to reenact our family photo from when I was probably close to one.  Gregg took a quick picture of it, but cut off Curtis' head.  You get the idea though.  We have slightly changed.