We were meeting in Wisconsin for a family reunion so I thought I would take the opportunity to go to Nauvoo. It had been over a year since I'd been and I just needed to get there. I love Nauvoo and I'm so glad my parents live there so I have the chance to visit so often. There is just something about the spirit I feel there, it's like no place else.It feels like home. We had so much fun on wagon rides, going on Grandpa's boat, visiting Brett and Amy for Saela's birthday celebration, going to the park, having dinner and smores in their backyard at the fire pit, visiting sites, going to do initiatory work at the temple, kayaking, and being able to spend Mother's Day with my own for the first time in years. Can't wait to go back again.
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I really loved that Easter Sunday was on Conference this year. It really allowed me to fully focus on what the holiday is truly about because honestly; as a mother with young children it's so easy for me to get caught up in the commercial aspect. Because they don't understand the importance yet and I love seeing their eyes light up when the easter bunny comes, and the excitement of doing an egg hunt, or dying eggs. Easter is one of Isla's favorite holidays because of those things. But I know that I need to start teaching her young so that I see the light in her eyes when she talks about our Savior and all he did for us. That he was resurrected and that he lives. That we wouldn't be here without him. That Easter is one of MY favorite holidays because of THOSE things. Because of him, I have them. Happy Easter everyone. Oh ya. And then it snowed.
We had lots of firsts this month. Isla had her first dentist appointment. She was pretty apprehensive about it and thought it was the doctor ( even though she loves getting checkups.) I just had to keep reminding her that they just had to check and clean her teeth and that it wasn't going to hurt. She did so well and even got to watch Frozen as they were doing it. Isla said she can't wait to go back :) We also had the opportunity to go to Disney on Ice. Grandma Bird was so nice to buy us all tickets. Brandon had been when he was younger, but it was a first for Isla and me. We had pretty decent seats, and Isla really liked it for the most part. The princesses and Christmas time were her favorite, and she got a cute Anna doll. Isla had her first field trip and she was so excited. They went to the library and she learned that you have to be very quiet and talk softly. She had such a good time. Mia also had a first. It finally became nice and warm enough to go outside. So we took a walk to the park and Mia sat in the grass. She didn't know what to think at first and then just started grabbing at it and feeling it in-between her toes.I think she liked it. It brings me immense joy to see my daughters experience something new, no matter how small. I love the light that shines in their eyes, and their contagious smiles and excited faces. It makes me so happy.
My sister Annie called me up one day and asked if I might be interested in coming to stay with her. She said there is a catch however...I need you to help me with the girls while I'm at work since they are on Spring Break and Don isn't going to be here. Ok, I didn't care why or how I got there. I said Heck, yes! So the girls and I packed off and set out to Sunny Florida, or at least what I thought would be sunny Florida.
We were all so happy to be there and it was gorgeous. However the clouds soon rolled in and never really left. Then both the girls got sick, then Annie got sick. Annie kept apologizing to me but I thought, why? Why are you apologizing? I'm having a wonderful time being here and just hanging out. Yes there are things I would have liked to do but my main reason for coming was to help you, and I'm doing just that. I was able to be home with the girls while Annie had to work so she didn't have to worry about finding a sitter or calling out since she is the only hygienist for her company. We still had so much fun and even got in some sunshine. We went to the park, the beach, Fort Caroline, and the girls and I even went to St. Augustine which is one of my favorite places I've ever been! So thank you Annie! I know you think I was just helping you out and had a boring time, but I really really loved being there and I would do it again in a heartbeat. My simple joy was an act of complete innocence and empathy. True selflessness. And it came from my four year old. How quickly I forget how much children can teach us adults who's hearts can be stone at times. Mia was sitting and playing when she suddenly fell over and landed on her face. She started to cry and tears were streaming down her face. Isla quietly retreated to her room with a whimper. As soon as I was able to calm Mia down, I called out to Isla who I could now hear sobbing. She walked out with big crocodile tears on her cheeks and I asked her what was wrong. She so sweetly said," I'm sad because Mia is hurt and crying." I instantly felt so much love emananting from this little person and I couldn't help but start crying myself. It made me think back to times where I was full of sorrow because one of my siblings was in pain.. physically or emotionally, and how much love I feel for them. You cannot teach families to have a bond. We are eternally tied together and it is engrained in us to love each other. I saw that today. And I'm grateful.
I hoped Isla would get the dancing bug. Looks like I got my wish. She asks me every day if she can be a ballerina. Looks like I have no choice! Love, love, love her.I had initially decided not to do preschool for Isla this year, but once winter set in I knew I would be faced with a little girl who needed more interaction than I could give her myself. She was ready. We heard of a woman who did pre-school out of her home just right down the street. I heard nothing but good things about her and decided it would be a perfect fit for Isla. So we went and picked out a backpack (frozen of course) and she just couldn't wait to go to school. She absolutely loved it and I'm so glad we decided to do it; for her sake, and mine!
Isla turned 4 this year. Wow, I am in shock. She insisted on a Hello Kitty Birthday again, just like last year. So she woke up to pink decorations and a Hello Kitty balloon. This girl is obsessed with birthdays; not just her own, but all of them. Anything with cake, candles, and presents she wants to be a part of. She makes cakes out of legos just so that we can pretend we have a birthday. In fact the birthday song is frequently sung in our house. Davis is her birthday buddy and we always celebrate with him when they are here.
For her actual birthday she wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese so we went with Lincoln and Auntie Abbey. They had fun eating pizza and playing games. Then we had some friends over for cake and ice cream. I'm so grateful for the times I hear her say thank you. She said thank you for my birthday, and I just love my birthday! I have so much fun with this girl. She gives me joy every day. This was our first Christmas as a family of four. It was wonderful having it together in our first home and witnessing the bond between sisters. I felt the love of Christ so strongly and I was just so happy. Isla gets more and more excited every year and I just can't wait for her to come down and see the presents waiting for her underneath the tree. After every present she exclaimed, I LOVE it thank you so much! Since being in a home of our own, I wanted to start some family traditions. Along with going to Temple Square, sledding, and the big Christmas Eve dinner, I started to do elf on the shelf. Well that wasn't always as thought out as I had planned but Isla loved it and just had fun seeing it every day. She absolutely loved decorating the Christmas tree and had to have one of her own in her room. She protested immensly when we had to take it all down. I also started wrapping up Christmas books and opened one every night to read as a family. Christmas Eve we opened the story of Christ's birth and read it as a family. I really want to focus on the true meaning so that my children know the real importance of this day. I still love the spirit of Santa Claus and all the things that bring about the Christmas joy. We spent time with Brandon's family and also went to Grandma Birds. Isla was absolutely spoiled and loved every minute. Of course I can never go without watching Home Alone and the Muppet Christmas Carol. Isla actually sat on Santa's lap for the first time. She has always just watched from a distance. This Santa was free, and obviously there was a reason for that :) We left out carrot sticks and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve, and made sure we did a service project. This year I collected coats to take to a homeless shelter. We love Christmas!
We were able to host our first Thanksgiving. Annie, Don, and the girls were here from Florida and Abbey and Trevor joined as well. We always have such a good time together and it was so nice being able to be with some of my family for a holiday since that doesn't happen, like, ever. Annie prepared most of the food so it wasn't as much work for me as I thought it would be. For some reason sparkling cider always makes me and my sisters a little crazy. (Obviously sugar rush) We missed Erin but I'm so glad Abbey and Annie were here. It's not often that I get to be my real, true self. There is only so much weird that Brandon can take from me. My sisters definitely bring it out of me. My simple joy is just being together with my family. There is nothing I would rather do.
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Author"Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give." Archives
October 2016
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