The Tea Party

Isn't this the cutest thing EVER? They took their tea party very seriously

Tori is really friendly and likes to make friends, however, one of her very FAVORITE friends is Kaylie. Kaylie and Tori have really similar personalities and enjoy spending time together. Sometimes they will argue, but they LOVE to play together. Tori has been asking to have Kaylie over for a tea party. This morning we did it! The girls had some much fun eating muffins and drinking apple juice. As a mom I enjoyed teaching Tori some etiquette (serve your guest first, ask your guest if they would like more, Kaylie loves Ariel let's make sure she has an Ariel plate and cup, and of course sharing). The girls had so much fun. Of course after the tea party it was time to play dress-up...they love to be princesses.

We are Alive!!!

We are alive and well. The time has just flown by so quickly. Where did summer go? My summer students checked out, and the fall students checked in. The students have been in school for the last 10 days and my life seems to FINALLY be slowing down. The summer was insane. I felt as though I worked constantly. I knew that it was true because every time Tori had the opportunity she would turn the sign on the door so that it indicated that it was my DAY OFF. As I have said before motherhood + work = GUILT. And I usually feel guilty most of the time.

We have done quite a bit over the last few weeks, but I can only find the pictures from the State Fair on the camera...I think that Jared may have downloaded the rest of the pictures onto his computer. He is asleep and I am afraid of his computer so you get to look at a few pictures from the State Fair.

Tori is pretending to pick apples here. There is an exhibit Little hands on Farm where the kids have the opportunity to learn about the connection between the and the grocery store. The exhibit is fun. Tori had a good time. Actually any time she can play in dirt is a good time as far as she is concerned.
Isn't he cute? He is just hanging out watching his sister. Check out his adorable new walking shoes. OK so he is not THRILLED with the shoes, but it is getting colder. I think that the shoes are cute, and that he looks dapper in them.

This was Tori's favorite part of the day...riding a pony. She told me that she is a COWGIRL and she needs pink cowgirl boots. Tori finds life to be a shoe shopping opportunity.

Jared has just started his LAST semester! We are so excited. Our plans? Most likely we will be moving back to New York by April. We really want Tori to start Kindergarten where we plan to stay. As odd as this may sound Utah has grown on me. As I comtemplate our impeding move I think about some of the things that I will miss here. There is nothing better than a Utah peach or apricot.

Our children are growing. I can't believe how quickly the time goes by. Michael is currently getting FOUR molars at once. He is not even that cranky. He continues to love to explore. We have discovered that he does have a love for cars. He turns anything into a car. His father's wireless mouse, dolls, cups, etc. Yesterday Tori wore her Lightning McQueen pants he got sooooooo excited that he kept kissing her pants! It was really funny.

Tori loves to cook. Today we made an apple pie together. Anytime that I am cooking she is in the kitchen with me standing on a chair insisting that she help. She does freak out about the "fire " from the gas stove and oven, but other than that minor set back she is an excellent help.

Life is going really well and I promise that I will try to improve my blogging timelyness (is that a word)

Weekly Pedicures

A friend told me that I should post pictures of our weekly pedicures. Tori calls this her special time. She loves the whole process from the bubble bath (not pictured), to soaking her feet and of course painting her nails pink weekly.

She likes to admire her feet. She will tell me that her feet are beautiful!

Her favorite part the pink shoes to dry.

Happy Birthday 1st Birthday Michael

Can you believe that he is 1? I cannot. This past year has been wonderful. we have really enjoyed having Michael as part of our family. Michael has been such a blessing and has made our family complete.Michael has such a calm and patient spirit. He has Jared's personality and obviously looks just like him. I love that my children love each other. I love that they like to play together. I love that Tori teaches Michael.

This is the first time that Tori held him in the hospital. She loved to hold him.

Isn't he cute? He was a HUGE baby (9 lbs 3ozs and 22inches long)

Michael learning to crawl.


He used to watch me make dinner every night.

He loved his birthday cake.

WOW! Isn't he the best? He is the happiest baby in the world.

Happy Birthday!!

The past few weeks...

Ok so I should be tired, but I am not. Instead of enjoying my guilty pleasure (watching mindless television) I decided to update our blog about what we have been doing over the past few weeks. You may ask why would I be so tired? Well Sleeping Beauty has decided that she sleeps better in our bed than her own. She comes into our room EVERY night between 3-4am and moves in. She usually is able to get her dad out of the bed as he retreats to the couch. If we move her back to her bed she wails and wakes up her baby brother. Last night I had the wonderful solution to simply move her next to our bed on her princess air mattress she wailed and we all were awake at 4:30am. However, how could anyone be upset by this angelic little innocent face? Better not ask that question at 4am!!!

Our Sleeping Beauty

The Ball...

Tori is motivated to read she always has been and we have always encouraged her. A few weeks ago there was a dance, a ball if you will, for the students. I had absolutely no intention of going since it was my weekend off. One night we came home from swimming and there was a flier advertising the event. Tori can read, she knows her numbers and days of the week. She was so excited she planned her outfit all week. Needless to say we went. She had a WONDERFUL time.

Prince Eric and King Triton came too. So who do you think Michael resembles? me? Definitely NO!

She dressed in her finest princess attire..Ariel of course. She loved the cake.

She loved the dancing and her shoes. Who does not want a pair of pink glitter shoes?

My children playing "under the sea". Tori is dressed as Ariel (she is singing to Prince Eric in this picture). Prince Eric is a good sport. In case you were wondering she dressed herself.

Michael's first candy. Thanks DADDY. Daddy is also the name he yells when he wants out of his crib. I wonder why? Check out his cute little curls on the back of his head.

He had his first haircut on the 7th. Doesn't he look adorable and so grown up?

I guess that is the quick update. This next week brings many celebrations our wedding anniversary, my neice's 2nd birthday, my brother-in-law's 30th birthday and MIKEY's 1st BIRTHDAY!!!! It will be a lot of fun!!!!

Guilt

One of the emotions that I feel on a daily basis since I became a mother. Am I doing enough? Am I teaching my children enough? Am I teaching my children correct principles? Am I patient enough (probably not)? Will they be good and righteous people? Will they be helpful and kind to others? I gave up a long time ago comparing my children to other children the same age. It just made me crazy and I realized when Tori was a baby that comparing her to others was unfair to her. I honestly hope that my children will be the best that they can be.

My guilt level has reached new heights since Michael's birth. Working with one child is ok, but two children is tough. I try to be a good employee and mother, and I always feel as though I am falling short in both areas. I feel as though I am constantly juggling all of my roles, but not very well. So while reading today in the Book of Mormon Nephi's words brought comfort to my soul

I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all... (Nephi 15:5)

Ok so Nephi was talking about the destruction of his people. We have similar concerns, and Nephi inquired of the Lord. Now I have inquired about my guilt numerous times. What comforted me was that even Nephi at times felt afflicted. It is just part of life. Does this mean that my guilt has been lessened? A little bit. More importantly it has reminded me that I need Heavenly Father's help as I raise His children. I often forget that my children are His children too. He wants them to succeed as much (maybe more) than I do.

Am I making a difference?

We began a habit reading The Book of Mormon at lunch time about a month ago. Family scripture study has been a struggle usually because of poor timing (ie. everyone is too tired). Lunch time works well for our family....well at least for some of us. Tori has been less than cooperative (ie. naughty, leaving the room and my personal favorite she pretends to snore). We have been consistent and not punished her for avoiding the scripture study. Each time it has gotten progressively better (less snoring more listening). Today we had a wonderful experience. We ate lunch while listening to her favorite music The Little Mermaid soundtrack. I went and got the Book of Mormon. She ran over to the computer and turned off her music (without being asked) . I asked her what she was doing, her reply "it is time to read the Book of Mormon". AS I read she began asking a lot of questions. Who is the Lord? Why do Laman and Lemuel fight? Why do Nephi and Lehi have visions? What is the world? I cannot even begin to descibe what a choice experience we had today. I am so grateful that she is learning and paying attention. I am grateful for a wise husband who helped us keep going when i wanted to give up in frustration. More importantly I know (once again) that there are blessings in being obedient. I also understand that reading will be a constant battle, but we will do it! Today I would have to say...YES I am making a difference!!