10 months

In 2 short months Olivia will be a year old! I can't believe how big she is getting. I remember when she fit in my arms and was so tiny, now she is longer than my upper body and oh so heavy!

I thought I should make a list of some of the things she does right now.

• She is taking steps but doesn't walk consistently
• She loves reading books and grunting 
• She loves grabbing handfuls of food and trying to shove it into her mouth before I catch her
• She is really good at taking her rings off and putting them back on the stick toy
• She still doesn't have any teeth... we call her toothless
• She loves being out of the house which doesn't happen very often
• She loves pulling clothes, books, diapers, and everything else off the shelf
• She loves loves loves tearing tissues to shreds 
• She dances every time music is on
• She loves watching movies but mostly Cinderella
• She still doesn't sleep through the night... she can't be away from me for more than 2 hours, it makes her sad... 
• She likes to climb like a little monkey. She gets braver and braver every day! It makes me nervous.
• She has a funny obsession with socks. She loves to hold her socks tight in her hands 
• Olivia loves her daddy and gets so excited when he comes home
• She loves to wave hello and goodbye
• She always waves her pointer finger at us
• She is getting more and more ticklish as she gets older
• She likes to clap when she hears large groups clapping
• Olivia LOVES Skyping. If she is grouchy and having a bad day a little Skype date with Grandma cheers her right up.
• She knows how to unlock my IPhone silly girl

Well, its late and I need what little sleep I can get right now... I could make a list miles long about Olivia. She brings so much joy and happiness into our home. She continually amazes us with how much and how fast she learns things. I am so grateful to be a mom. All the hard days (like today... we are praying for her little teeth to make their appearance so we can get her back on a great sleep schedule) are totally worth it. I am so in love with Olivia!!

My sister Rachael

My sister Rachael is awesome! She has a roommate right now that... Well, she isn't my favorite. She has said some stuff that makes me so mad but my sister is so sweet, she turns the other cheek. She would never do anything or say anything to hurt someone.

After talking to Rach last night I was all fired up and ready to give this girl a piece of my mind.

Every night we sing a primary song to Olivia before bed and this song popped into my head last night...

1. I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,
Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

Rachael is always trying to be like Jesus. She is such an amazing example to me. I wish I could handle situations like Rachael. If I did I wouldn't have lost friends in the past over silly things. Rachael loves everyone and always looks past their imperfections to find the person she loves. Everyone needs a sister like Rachael! I love her so much and I am lucky to have her so close to me right now.

One more example:

I was in Rexburg visiting Rachael. We were stopped at a stop light waiting for a man to cross. About halfway through the intersection we realized he didn't have a jacket on and it was 30 degrees outside!! Then we noticed that he had a disability. He was struggling to get across the street then he came to a complete stop as he struggled to find a way to get on the icy sidewalk.

Our hearts were full at that moment and Rachael and I asked him if he needed a ride somewhere. He said yes and slowly got into the car with our help. Once he was in the car we noticed he had a speech disability too.

He slowly told us where he was going which was a good mile or more away and would have taken him an hour to get there at the rate he was going.

We learned a little about him. He is married and has a 2 year old son. He proudly showed us a picture of them on his phone.

We dropped him off and noticed one more thing, he was all wet from falling on ice probably. We said goodbye with gratitude in our hearts for the opportunity to serve him.

Later that day we told our mom the story and Rachael told us she had prayed that morning for her eyes to be open for an opportunity to serve.

Rachael is amazing. She is trying to be like Jesus and helps me try harder!

Sleep? Who needs it!?

To sleep or to shower is the big question of the day. For 4 months now I have been thinking Olivia has been teething but every day I check and no teeth. I am glad they have taken their time coming in because there is nothing cuter than a gummy grin. But lately I wish they would get here already! The last 2 weeks have been really long with not much sleep. Olivia wakes up 2-3 times at night and screams. It's a scream she rarely ever does so I know she is uncomfortable.

It amazes me that during the day she still has enough energy to keep her going and I just lay on the floor like a zombie...

I never wanted to be the mom that turned on the tv to keep my kids busy. I wanted to play with them but every morning when my eyes are on fire because I am fighting to keep them open and I can think straight I turn on Curious George and The Cat In The Hat to keep me awake and Olivia entertained. We won't get into how I wake up at night singing all the songs on The Cat In The Hat and Super Why.

If I get a shower in before 12 I know I can accomplish anything but if it is 1 and I'm still in my jammies (which is usually 5 out of 7 days during the week) I know at least I won't have as much laundry to do this week.

I am grateful she still takes 2 naps most days because I take 2 naps most days! I know those naps are what keep me functioning.

Anyways... I know this moment won't last for long... Then another baby will keep me up... But until the night Olivia sleeps through the night I will continue to enjoy the way she smells, running my fingers through her sweaty hair, her little fingers poking my face, the way she pulls my hand close to her body and holds on tight, and everything else that is oh so cute!

I don't need sleep! I would much rather spend my time with Olivia!

.....Continued.....

It is now 150 in the morning and I have been laying in bed for 2 hours unable to sleep... Why is it when I am completely exhausted and ready to sleep I CAN'T!!!?