Silly things

Eli has such a fun personality and we love being silly with him!

Shaelee

Shaelee fun!

Summer baby

I love summer. I always have and having a baby girl this summer was for sure the highlight! The birth, breastfeeding, her sleeping, everything about her is perfect. Eli is the cutest big brother there ever was and all is right in my world.

E and s

These two are quite the siblings.  They for sure have similarities.  Like their love for. ..
1. Music
2. Watermelon
3. Back packs
4. Tents
5. Slides
6. Going out on the town
7. Family and people in general

I had to snap this picture of them watching TV. They both don't really love watching movies,  Shaelee use to but now not so much. We just watch music videos or listen to Pandora and it seems to be the best.

Little updates

Eli and I seem to always be on the move. I'm picking up a rekindled love for coming and baking. Tonight I'm going to try pad Thai. 

I hope it turns out!

I have been making homemade doughs and made the tastiest bbq pizza last Friday.  Little helper is the best and he loves to sample. 

We went to the zoo yesterday with cousin T. She is so calm,  it made Eli so calm. The rhino I swear came and starred me in the eye,  very cool thing and highlight of the zoo trip was the bird show.  I need to go to the zoo more, I love animals & so does E.

We're getting our yard in,  weather permitting and thank goodness Chris is so handy he is doing it solo!

Life is good!

Thanksgiving point fun

We're always on the go and I'm so glad we are.  Sitting around isn't my style and I'm glad it's not my families either. 

We've had the best time with my mom.  I love her so dearly & so does this little guy!

Divorce can be nice

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=43770537&nid=1009

Having never been around divorce then marrying a divorced man with a daughter, I am amazed by things people do after divorce.  I've never seen two people be so cruel to another when it really isn't about then anymore. You don't live together anymore but your child still and will forever be connected and connecting the two of you.

Forgiveness is difficult. I cannot imagine the amount of Christlike characteristics you would need to imply and reach to God's mercy.  Which are both there. To those divorced or parents divorced,  my heart goes out to you.

This is quite a humble thing to do.  (Take pictures together every year) I really wish for Shaelee that she could have a bit more of a normal life. I really hope one day her parents can work things like that out but it will take forgiveness. 

Forgiving is very hard,  true forgiveness breaks you from the chains of sorrow and stops you from drinking poison everyday hoping the other person will die.

We have heard nasty things come from Shaelee's mouth that so and so at her other household says and it's not fun. It really only hurts Shaelee.  You hope they aren't true and she's saying it to get a reaction but 2, 3 or 4 year olds repeat, they don't make up stuff.

Being a step mom is challenging but also a gift in many ways. People continually compliment me on things we practice at our house and where these practices are truly seen,  outside our house. I always say,  my batteries are recharged every week. I can have a few days to recharge.  There are lots of really really sad things with being the product of divorce but we must see the good.  Living in your own hell isn't fun. Not at all. 

I'm very grateful for parents who have set an example of working it out.  I'm grateful that though hard times come they still are married.  Marriage isn't easy and none of my most beautiful relationships are. I'm so grateful for my husband and our family. 

My goodness

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=43533979&nid=148

I'm completely upset by this article. This is the title. 

Teen accused of sexually abusing 4 girls sentenced to house arrest

This is the most slap on the hand for a 17 year old to ever get.  I hate every part of this. What does this say to other guys,  you can go force girls to have sex with you and all that happens is a little house arrest.  What does this say to the victims?  This guy raped you and "it's your fault." I truly hope that these women are getting the one on one or group counseling they deserve.  I hope they never have to see this 17 year old again and he doesn't take anything out on them.  It sounds like his family,  the judge and his lawyer think he did nothing wrong.  Rape is wrong!

What is this world coming to?

I must agree with the articles advice,  date in groups. Never be alone with a guy,  honestly his intentions are never known until he can show them. Who else has he done this too. 4 girls told,  that's ALOT.  where are the others.  This didn't start just this year. .... and I would also assume he has an un healthy relationship with someone at home.  Maybe house arrest will be a punishment but it doesn't fit the crime. 

Life is too good

I think Spring is my favorite season.  As a kid I lovvvvvved the summer but I'm starting to love the Spring.  Maybe it's the walks or the buds or the depressing long winter and this feels so awesome but wow.  Spring is great.  Eli and Shaelee both closed their eyes when I snapped a picture of our first bbq! Chris is a master bbq guy.  Seriously!

Also milk baby,  I'm glad I only pumped till 9 months because he's getting crazy experimental with milk now and I pump gold! :)

We've also been riding bikes.  Shaelee got a pink bike with training wheels and she is nervous about riding it but she'll only ride for me,  otherwise she's scared.  I'm suprised how she can get on a horse. Hopefully she never falls off because that girl will remember! If she does fall I hope she gets back up again. 

I'm so excited for rides with Eli soon! Chris has taken him. We also all 3 of us road the motorcycle around the block. Eli loved the wind in his hair and chris was a great driver!

Welcome Spring!

We are very blessed with a happy, healthy, easy baby boy.  He's really the ideal baby.  He's 99.99% happy or content and that's what a mama likes.  As he's getting older he's not a big fan of the car seat but I can't blame him,  I'd rather be jumping around too. So grateful for the past few months.  Some highlights for us are;  going on walks twice a day, going to the zoo,  going to see cousins/family,  going to the park,  library and getting our bikes out. We have had quite a few friends come over,  we love friends! 

We are under construction for a yard. I'm looking for decorating ideas for the house and specific rooms.  I really want a porch swing, hopefully Chris will build us one!  So grateful for many things.

These handouts are from a meeting I went to about communication.  Interesting!