Nie Nie Day

I had not ever heard of Stephanie Nielson of NieNie Dialogues until I read THIS post on Kelly McCaleb's blog a couple of weeks ago. I was curious, so I clicked on the link to find out THIS news about the private plane crash Stephanie (nie), her husband, and a flight instructor had been involved in. My heart ached for them, for their families, and all the people that know them and love them. Reading her sister's blog and design mom, I found the outpouring of love and support for Stephanie and Christian to be just amazing! I started to read in the NieNie Dialogues archives to get a glimpse the life of someone who has seemingly touched so many. As I read, I began to see why she had so many supporters- her outlook on life, love, children, the gospel, and the way she put it all into action every day touched me. She shares great ideas, recipes, and her enthusiasm for life through her posts- I love, love, love this idea and plan to create a similar tradition in our family in honor of Nie! I am sure I will find many other wonderful ideas as I continue to search back in the NieNie archives. I know her influence has touched many others-several people I know (the blogging world is a VERY small one). Read Cheryl's tribute HERE, Kelly's HERE and April's HERE. I am so incredibly inspired by the way that everyone- family, friends, loyal blog readers, and strangers alike are rallying around Nie and her family.

My own testimony of Heavenly Father's love for each of us and His wonderful plan is strengthened as I read more about Stephanie, Christian, and how their family is responding to this trial (or opportunity for growth as they see it). I love THIS post by her sister that gives amazing perspective to this situation. Similarly, I have been amazed at strength, love, understanding, and hope displayed by the Leach/Dean family after their son/brother Jay was involved in a serious car accident. I am continually awed by the strength and comfort that Heavenly Father endows us with when we need it most. I am thankful.

The Nielson family has been (and will continue to be) in my prayers, in my thoughts, and I will definitely be participating this weekend in one (or more) of the MANY silent auctions listed HERE that will all benefit Stephanie and Christian's recovery fund. Kelly will be auctioning off some of her handmade goodies today as part of this effort- that is where I will be headed first! Then maybe over to Jenn Kirk's blog where she is auctioning off adorable custom notecards!

bitty baby grows!

We went to Finley's 18 month check today. She has grown an inch and gained a pound since her last visit! She hit the elusive 20 pound mark (6th percentile baby)! Whoo hoo! Now she is officially legal to be turned around forward in her car seat- even though I decided not to turn her BACK when I had that dilemma a few months ago. At least now I won't get arrested for child endangerment!

Finley has grown up and changed so much lately- her personality has really emerged! She is hysterical! I love watching her learn new things and try to do everything that her big sister does. This might really play to my advantage in the potty training arena. Yesterday, I pulled out the little potty for Finley to experiment with while Avery was using the big potty. I walked out of the bathroom and came back after Avery yelled- "She did it mommy- Finley went pee pee." Sure enough she did! This morning, Finley's diaper was completely dry, so I put her on the potty again. Score 2-0 for Fin! I haven't pushed it further, but maybe she is ready- or almost anyway?! It would be AMAZING if it were really this easy. Only time will tell!

Her vocabulary has exploded in the last few weeks also. She attempts to say everything we say, even though it comes out as jibberish a lot of the time. Her list of words to date include:

• dora- she points her out everywhere!
• out
• up
• what
• where
• why
• bye
• more
• beam (when avery is singing Jesus wants me for a sunBEAM)
  go
  shoe (this girls has a serious shoe fettish- already!)
  juice
  water
  dog
  mama
  dada
  thank you
  please
  nose
  eye
  mouth
  bubba
  mine (a favorite)
  day day
  tee tee
  bye-bye
  NO
  cheese
  night night
  hi
  bb (for her beloved belly button)
• plus more words each and every day- it is crazy how quickly her vocabulary is growing. I can't keep up!

Another HUGE milestone... Finley is FINALLY sleeping through the night!!! She found her soothing mechanisms- her bb (her belly button), sucking her tongue(?!), and her blankie- now she sleeps like a dream- as long as I don't put her in PJs that inhibit bb access! That means better sleep for me too! She is getting so big! My baby is not so much a baby anymore! Is it time for #3?! That is up to Heavenly Father to decide- I have learned from our past fertility struggles that He knows best as far as timing goes. I leave it in His hands. But, just to put it out there, I wouldn't mind a new little baby to keep me up at night. smile.

I give up!

After lying in bed for HOURS, trying to get back to sleep with no avail, I officially give up. I am awake and starting my day at this obscene hour, when the sky is still dark, tending to all the things that were running through my overactive mind preventing me from getting much needed sleep. I figured I would be more productive DOING something- ANYTHING, than I was just laying there stuck in my head. ARGG! Maybe with a head start on the day, I can get a few extra things crossed off my list, so that I can actually, maybe, possibly get some sleep the next time I have the opportunity?! We shall see!

I have created a t.v. monster! HELP!

We have gotten into a rut from living in the chaos of a remodel- in order to be at home during the day, we have had to hole up in the back bedroom a lot of times. We turn on fans, turn on the t.v., and try to block out all the noise. After a year + of this routine, things are SLOWLY starting to get back to "normal", and I have found I have created a MONSTER! Avery is completely addicted to her shows! As soon as she wakes up, she wants a show. It is the first thing she asks for when we walk in the door and the last thing she wants before she goes to bed. It has even gotten to the point that she says she is hungry, but refuses food or drink if it means she has to come to the table?! She knows how to operate every t.v. and dvd player we have- I will come in the room after telling her "no shows" and find her sitting in her chair vegging out in front of The Backyardigans that she set up all by herself (turning on the t.v., changing the tv/video input, turning on the dvd player, finding the dvd, putting it into the dvd player, pushing play- ALL BY HERSELF). She is so content sitting there, watching, laughing! I do suggest other activites- "let's read books" (which she usually loves), "lets play a game," "let's color," "let's, play dress-up, dance, help mommy cook, or have tea time," but usually her response is, "I don't wanna do that." I KNOW it is not what is best for her and I KNOW that I am the mom- she is NOT (or should not be) the boss, but sometimes it is just easier to let her be than engage in the inevitable struggle to pull her away. I use the quiet time to pick-up around the house, clean, and *gasp* blog! I really HAVE to do something. This remodel is ALMOST complete- I can no longer use it as an excuse- and I need to regain order (in all aspects of my home and family)... HELP! What do you do in your homes to limit "plug-in" play?! I need ideas!

the best time of day

daddy's home! everything stops for hugs. a new face. a second wind. RELIEF! whew, we made it through another day!

Pirish?!

We got a special Minnie Mouse for Avery at Epcot Center's World Showcase when we were at Disney World in April. The World Showcase is really incredible- each country is represented by replicas (nearly full size) of famous landmarks, eateries with authentic food, and shops with souvenir items that you would find if you were actually visiting the country itself- and some country specific Disney paraphernalia mixed in, of course. Anyway, I digress.

The stuffed Minnie Mouse we got in "Ireland" was a "must get" because it was green and had shamrocks all over it. Since Avery's birthday is March 17, St. Patrick's day, we thought it was appropriate (and oh, so very cute). Avery, however, loves this Minnie not because it pays homage to her birth date, but because she thinks it looks like a pirate (she has been on a pirate kick ever since we went on Pirates of the Caribbean at Disneyland forever ago- she even recognizes and points out Captain Jack Sparrow when Johnny Depp's picture pops up during the Disney montage at the beginning of her Enchanted DVD- EVERY TIME). So, she calls (or I should say called) this particular minnie her "Pirate Minnie." We recently tried to explain to her that it is actually "Irish" Minnie, with interesting results. Avery does try to say "Irish" upon prompting and if she concentrates really hard, it comes out correct; but, if she is not focused, it comes out "Pirish." I don't know if she is just having a hard time with the pronunciation or if she is consciously mixing the two names (Pirate and Irish), but this is now her "Pirish" Minnie. It just cracks us up every time she says it! So, without further ado, I introduce you to the Irish Pirate.... "Pirish" Minnie!

I guess I can see Avery's confusion- she does kind of look like a swashbuckling pirate to me too!

eight years of wedded bliss

Our wedding was many years ago. The celebration continues to this day. ~Gene Perret

Oh, wow. At the time I didn't realize how young we were, but looking back?! We were just babies- I was 20 (almost 21) and Paul was 22 (almost 23). A lot has changed since then! I feel that I know myself much better now at 28 than I did at 20- know what I like, what I don't like, what I want, what is truly important, what is not. But, one thing I know for sure- marrying Paul was the best decision I have ever made. The older, wiser me would make the same decision a million times over today. In the last 8 years we have enjoyed many wonderful blessings while also enduring a few tough trials. Through it all, we have grown closer and our relationship has become even more solid than it was when we started this journey together. I feel so blessed! Happy Anniversary!