Finding a Balance...

So, lately it has occurred to me that I expect more from Gracie than I should....especially when it comes to other kids. Gracie LOVES LOVES LOVES playing with other kids. She craves friends, and for the most part, she is a really good little friend herself (even if she is only 2 years old.)
I have been rather strict with her since she as a little tiny thing, probably too strict to some extent, because I did not want to have one of those horrible kids that was disrespectful and defiant and the family never gets invited anywhere because you can't stand their kids. Come on, you all know what I'm talking about. Gracie has a very independent little spirit, and I just know if I don't follow through one time or let her get away with even the little things, we could have a little diva on our hands.
So, to get to the point, I have found myself getting after Gracie, and then I think--"she really didn't deserve that" or something like that, and it seems to always be with other kids involved. For example:

For Christmas Gracie got a Jesse doll (from Toy Story) that she absolutely loves. It is her favorite toy by far right now. It is a rare occasion when she doesn't have Jesse with her. I had to talk her out of having Jesse take a bath with her a few times! Jesse also seems to be every other kids favorite toy too when they come over. We've had a few play-dates with friends or kids from the ward, etc and for some reason Jesse is the hit of the toy box. So, I tell Gracie that she gets Jesse all the time and she has to let the other kids play with her. Which is true, she can let other kids play with her--but after an hour or an hour an a half or two hours, SHE would like to play with Jesse too. I have been very insistent that basically when other kids are here and want to play with her, she's kind of off limits to Gracie. And kudos to my Gracie Girl because for the most part, she has been very good about it.
But then I got to thinking...is that really fair? Shouldn't she also get to play with her favorite toy when other kids are around? I mean, she's asked to give her up for hours like 2-5 hours at a time. That's ALONG time for a little 2 year old. I wouldn't expect other kids to give up their favorite toy to Gracie for that long, so why am I expecting it of her? And where do I draw the line?
(There's more examples I could give of this kind of thing, but this gives you kind of an idea.)

Gracie is really good at sharing, but lately she's become a little more possessive AND aggressive with some things, and though it might have a lot to do with her age, I wonder if I have something to do with it. I might become a little possessive too if I knew I had to share something that I didn't really want to share.
Often I will find some of her toys (including Jesse) in Kate's crib. If Kate starts crying, Gracie sometimes gets to her before I do with handfuls of toys that she lovingly throws in the crib in hopes of making Kate happy. It's really so very sweet!

So, basically I have concluded that I have a great kid. Of course as her Mom I have a responsibility to her to teach her how to share and be a good friend, but where is the balance between teaching her that and still being fair TO HER.

If any of you other Mom's out there have any suggestions, I'd sure appreciate some help!

A Different Perspective...

This morning I got an invitation to attend a funeral. An Elder from my MTC district and his wife welcomed their FIRST child, a baby girl into the world last Monday. Unfortunately, due to some complications with delivery as well as problems the baby had in some bone formation, she was only able to live for a few hours. As I got this invitation, my heart just broke for them. It's so exciting to learn you will be bringing a child into the world. And for 9 months, you see a miracle occur as you see the baby grow, feel the baby move, and anticipate seeing his/her face. You pick out names, you buy clothes and baby gear, and prepare yourself as best as you can for parenthood. I just can't imagine going through all of that, and in the end not being able to bring the child home or watch them grow up. They are a strong couple, they have been married in the Temple, and they know that this baby girl will be theirs forever. But that does not mask the sadness they must be feeling.

This morning I had a different perspective as I got up at 4 A.M. to feed my own sweet baby girl, I didn't think "oh I'm so tired, I just want to go back to sleep" (like I usually do). I didn't get as irritated when my sweet Gracie wanted to climb in bed with us in the middle of the night and I had to take her back to her own bed (2 times). Instead, I thought of how grateful I am to have two beautiful, healthy children. I felt grateful that I got to get up with them this morning, and feel so grateful that I get to watch them grow up.

So, I will go kiss my two sleeping beauties, and try to remember what I have been given. And I will keep my old MTC friend and his wife in my thoughts and prayers as they go through this hard time and hope that sooner than later, thye too will have a baby to take home and hold.

Happy Birthday Bryant!

Today my favorite guy turns 28! I love this day every year because I think about how incredibly happy I am, and really I owe so much of it to this wonderful man! He is so loving, patient and kind, and he loves me unconditionally--even when I don't deserve it!

I hope our girls know how lucky they are to have such a great Daddy!




Happy Birthday Bry! I hope 28 is the best year yet! I love you!

Going Private....

Well, after a lot of thought, I've decided with all the changes going on with us this next year, it will probably be best to make our blog private. Keeping up on the blog can be a bit of work, and I LOVE that people look at it (and especially when they leave comments), and I realize going private may decrease the number of comments and even how much people look at the blog. However, to protect our family and to be able to feel more comfortable posting things with our girls and with Bryant's internship (and his new job wherever that may be this summer) it is time to take this next step.

So anyone that would like an invite, please give me your email addresses. Even if you only look once in a while, or if you don't know me but know Bryant, or even if we don't know each other that well--please feel free to give me your email addresses! I will plan to make the blog private the first week of February! Can't wait to hear from you all!

Our Girls

It has been pointed out to me (and rightfully so) that I need to post more pictures of our sweet Baby Kate and of Gracie of course who is growing up so fast. While Pamela (Bryant's sister) was in town, she put her awesome photography skills to work and took some great pictures of our two beautiful girls. I hope you enjoy!

Whirlwind Holidays...

Wow, I can't believe Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone already. I have not been very good at blogging lately, but life has been crazier than it has ever been it seems. We left Springfield Thanksgiving Day and made it to Kuna about 6 P.M. that night. It was interesting traveling/moving on a holiday. We're just glad we made it safe and sound without too many problems with the weather! The next day (Black Friday) we moved all of our stuff from the storage unit to our apartment. Over the course of the weekend, we did what we could to move in a bit, but unfortunately we left the apartment mostly still needing to be unpacked and headed down to Las Vegas Monday morning. We needed to go see my Dad, to help my Mom get stuff moved into their new house and take their truck back to them. Mostly, we wanted to go see my Dad and brighten his holiday season up a bit!
Our almost 2 weeks in Vegas went by in a flash. Bryant and Kristin headed to Yucca Valley to load up all of my parents stuff and bring it back and between trying to get the walls painted in their new house, getting a few things moved in here and there and going to the hospital to visit my Dad, there was still a lot to do after 2 weeks. But we had plane tickets back to Boise and we had to get back to make Ruth (my mother in law's) Christmas present from Dave (my father in law) complete. He flew Bry's oldest sister and her kids in from Texas so the entire family (minus Pamela's husband) could spend a few days together for Christmas. Plus, we still needed to move into OUR own apartment.
I think after almost 3 weeks we finally are settled. It's hard to get too far when you have a two year old and a two month old constantly needing something. Next time we move, I think my Mom will have to come and take the kids so we can get things done in a more timely fashion!
Two days before we came home, my Dad was released from the hospital! He FINALLY had surgery to get his gallbladder out--which was the culprit in this whole ordeal--on December 17. So far, he gets tired really fast, but he is recovering quite nicely. We are so grateful to have him home and on a good road to recovery. His body has been through a horrible ordeal, so it may take a while, but we know he'll be back to his old self soon! As awful as this experience has been, we have seen so many blessings in all of this. We have seen the hand of the Lord intercede in my Dad's behalf, and because of the faith, love, prayers, fasting, hope, and friendship that has been shown by so many of you, we know my Dad was spared from worse problems. My family can't thank all of you enough for all you've done to help my Dad get well, and to boost our spirits through all of this as well.
We had a wonderful Christmas. We hope you all did too! We are hoping for a better 2011 (healthwise anyway!) and wishing you all a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Moving On...Once Again

Well, it's hard to believe our time in Springfield has come to an end already. I definitely have mixed emotions about leaving. It's exciting to think that Bryant's first 10 week internship is behind him. I am so ready to be moved into an apartment with our own stuff and be settled for a while, that's for sure! We are also very happy to know we will be close to family for a while. But leaving Springfield brings a lot of sadness for me as well. I never would have thought I'd feel so attached to people after just three short months. This has been a wonderful experience for us.
This ward has been so very kind and accepting of us from the very beginning. I had so many people offer to take Gracie if I had a Dr appointment and especially if I went into labor with Kate. It was so nice to know I wouldn't have to take Gracie to the hospital with us! When I went to Time Out for Women a few weeks ago, all the ladies I was with treated me like an old friend. And they all took their turn with Kate as well. It was such a nice weekend! Thanks Ladies!
It has also been so fun to see Bryant doing this internship. He is truly in his element! I feel so lucky that he picked a career that he will love. He has especially loved working with children. He is a very patient and gentle man, which is important when working with kids...especially with kids who are disabled in some way. The therapists he has worked with LOVE him--who wouldn't?! Seeing him in a working environment has made the past 2 1/2 years of intense, stressful schooling totally worth it!

I have learned a lot the past few months. My Mom has always said "You find what you're looking for wherever you go." I've learned that this is so so true. I suppose if I wanted to be miserable her in Springfield, I definitely could have found enough things to feel that way. You make your own happiness, and I can be happy anywhere--as long as I have my family with me! I am going to try and remember that as we move from this wonderful place and these wonderful people to Boise. I am sure there will be wonderful people there too! Well, my in-laws are there, so we are already off to a good start!

I've learned that one person really does make a difference. There is a young guy in the ward here, I'll call him John, (I think he's Bryant's age) who has a wife and four young kids, and he is dying. He has pancreatic cancer. I didn't get the opportunity to know him very well--but he has made a HUGE difference in so many peoples lives, He is all about service. I asked a friend in the ward what made this ward so friendly. I mean, there are no clicks, everyone participates in ward activities, there is a good spirit in this ward. One of my friends told me, "you know the ward hasn't always been like this." I asked what changed to make it like this and she said "You know, it's a lot of things, but I think John had a lot to do with it!"
I can make a difference. I can serve better, I can be a better friend, a better visiting teacher, a better example of Jesus Christ. I plan to make a difference wherever I go from now on!

I've also learned again, or at least my testimony has been strengthened, I know that God is truly in the details of our lives. This year has been difficult for my family. We sent three missionaries off this year (Kristin, My Mom and My Dad) only to get them all back home with serious medical problems. My pregnancy with Kate was really hard for me. Moving with a toddler and 7 months pregnant was also extremely difficult. Wondering if I would get medical insurance before I had Kate was very stressful. But, I've seen the hand of the Lord in my life so much through all of these trials. Things have worked out. Life is good.

I appreciate all I've learned here in Oregon. I'm sad to move on. Sad to say goodbye to these wonderful people. But I'm ready to make a difference and find happiness in Boise---at least for the next 7 months:)