10.) For the knowledge we have of the restoration of the Gospel of Christ. We have so much comfort, guidance, strength and purpose in our lives because we are blessed to know that Christ truly came to earth to redeem us all and make it so that someday we can live Him and our Heavenly Father again.
Our Cute Christmas Kids
Our girly might be catching up with her big brother sooner then we thought. Today she spoke her first word, "Baby"! I am still a little undecided that she really knows what a baby is, but seeing how she keeps saying it over and over again I am hoping it is here to stay! We were sitting playing together when our screen saver popped up a picture of her as an itty bitty baby and she then smiled huge at it and said as clear as day "baby". I wouldn't make much of it but the past few days I have noticed her studying my mouth when I talk to her and practicing her sounds. Even now as I am prof-reading this aloud she is coping me every time I say baby. I even got her to say ma ma a couple times too. So maybe this really is the start of our littlest kiddo talking. Hurray, for our Angeli!
My favorite traditions revolve around food: Easter candy, gluten at Thanksgiving (don't ask), and minty chocolaty heaven at Christmas time. We are currently fully indulging in our favorite Christmas treat and I am so in love with it that I thought I should share it with all of you guys so that one or two of you might try it and find yourselves a very easy very very very yummy tradition too. All you need is Keebler Elves' very yummy Grasshopper cookies, and hot chocolate. Mix your selves up some hot chocolate and then open up your cookies and select one that is to your liking. :0) Make small bites in opposite ends of the cookie and then place one end of the cookie in the hot coco and then suck the hot coco up it using it as a very short, fat chocolaty straw. One or two suck will do it, depending on how hot your coco is, and then pop the whole cookie in your mouth. What you'll find is warm, minty, and very creamy melted cookie goodness. We love it! I always have a cup of water to go along with it because I have a low sugar tolerance and need to "cleanse my pallet" to ensure the optimum gorging. If you try it let me know if you like it too. We love it and you might just love it too!
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This week has been a reality check for me. I have realized that Christmas is in fact coming whether I am ready or not. I think it was spurred by our first real arrival of snow. Yay, for our pretty snow! Stewart would be the first to tell you that I have been running around like a crazy trying to meet my deadlines for my business and keep us all feed and clothed while not having a car most of the week. And now with my business seemingly under control I have decided I better start Christmas shopping, planning, and tradition making. In all of this I keep returning to my on going dilemma about what to tell my children concerning Santa Clause. I realize my hesitance to tell my children that some fat man is going to fly to our pretend chimney and shove Christmas presents into our house makes me a bit of a Christmas loser, but I was raised knowing it was all just fun pretend so it is really hard for me to give into telling my kids there is a Santa. I know this is a highly sensitive subject as it delves deep into some of our most tender memories and traditions and I see both sides of the argument. Pro Santa: Its fun, it helps create the magic, its a national tradition, my kids will be missing out on some magical childhood experiences, and that they might be like me and grow up a little faster then most kids.
Anti Santa: Kids get way to wound up in a pretend God when they have a real one they should be focusing on, I don't want to put energy into lying to my kids, having to worrying about when they realize he is fake, and I turned out fine without a fat flying man in my childhood. So here I am undecided. I remember being in third grade and my friend sitting at lunchtime telling me that she saw Santa flying by her window. I just said, "don't lie". I never told her he was fake but I thought she was so lame. All the other kids believed her and wanted all the details. I didn't like feeling disconnected from my peers by not believing in Santa, but I didn't want to give up on logic and believe in something so obviously retarded either. And that goes for the easter bunny and the tooth fairy too. I did kind of believed in the tooth fairy when I was really young but the easter bunny was super lame to me. I just couldn't believe a huge bunny would leave me eggs. What was a bunny doing with a bunch of eggs anyways! But back to Santa; maybe I will not put energy into the application of either side of the argument. I will mark gifts "from Santa" but I don't have to make them write him letters if they don't bring it up themselves. I guess for now that is what I have decided I will play along but not try to make my kids believe, if they want to then I wont wreck it for them but I wont push it either. I hope then when we sit down to talk about Christmas I can tell them about Jesus and not a pretend man who will never make any of their wishes come true no matter how much they believe in him. So sorry to be a Christmas downer. :0) You can all carry on with your cherished traditions and know I don't think ill of them, I am just trying to figure out what will be my family's Christmas traditions. thanks for letting me have a platform to rant on.
Well, as any parent is I am very proud of all my babies' achievements and quirks so I wanted to share my excitement of their little strides with you all. Here they be!
Bridger is learning more words every day. The other day he actually called me "ma ma"! And the next day he called me "mommy"! I honestly almost cried when I heard it. It's been a long time coming. I have been Daddy forever so I am hoping he starts calling me mommy for good now even though today he wouldn't say it. :0( I'd say "Say mommy" and he'd say "no, no, no". That Toddler! Yesterday he learned to say "cookies" that is all he asks for now, I think "toes" and I am sure something else but I don't keep very good track these days. Being stuck in the house has been especially hard on him and everyday we have a "Waunt go!" "Wanut go!" episode as he knocks on the front door asking to go. It makes me so sad for my little guy. Today his friend Patrick and his mommy came and loaded us up in their car and took us to go to the park with them. It felt so good to socialize and let Bridger get out a bit. These days his favorite games are races with his trains (we start at one end of the house and race to the other side pushing his trains, he loves when mommy and daddy crash), and playing ball, which is mainly him throwing the ball all over the place while laughing at me scrambling to catch it.
Angeli now has four teeth! Way to go Angi. :0) And she has four on their way in! Poor little thing that must hurt. :0( She is also learning to walk. Of course she is baby stepping her progress to actual independent walking (I'm so funny!) but it is still very exciting for us. However, it's a bit sad for me to see her growing because, on some level, I want her to stay my little baby forever. She also had her third hair trim. Her hair, as Eden has told me, was looking a bit too much like a really bad comb-over ( she could even challenge Donald Trump's ugliness) so it had to be trimmed again. But now I think she looks like a boy. Oh, well. :0)
So there you have it I think my babies are great! Here's a little home video of our Angi taking on her walker. And sorry its a little long; I just think she is so cute I couldn't cut it shorter.
Consistent with how things seem to be going for our little family we have been riding the roller coaster of ups and downs these past weeks. At times it really seems that the Lord is giving us little dramas just so we can exercise our faith and see how much He loves and takes care of us in our times of need. Here is our latest exercise in faith...
A couple weeks ago we got a call from our bishop asking if we wanted a free truck. I felt a little unsure that we needed it more then others in our ward. But Stewart felt we did so we excepted gratefully. We had to wait for the paper work to get done before we could get it but we were excited that now I could have our little Honda to myself and not be stuck at home so much. On Wednesday night Stewart got in our Honda to come home from school and it died. :0( It then was very apparent why the Bishop thought of us when looking to place the truck. We really did need it! Our little Honda in now undergoing a $2,600 repair. It is only worth $5000 so that is a bit annoying to have to have to pay that much but we need a car the family can fit into so we have to get it fixed. Once again we find ourselves stuck between feeling sorry for ourselves and feeling overwhelmingly blessed. The same day the car died I got a letter in the mail telling me I am not allowed to have my business. It was a hard day for us to say the least. I have plowed through lots of rules and grumpy HOA people and I am going to be able to do my business just on new annoying terms . But just as before I also have received some miracles where I realize Heavenly Father wants me to take my business in a little different direction that I am sure will bring greater success and fulfillment. I think I will now have to get locations where I come to their store once a month to do impressions instead of doing them out of my home. I will thus be the traveling impression lady and therefore it's necessary for me to have my own car. So you see the Lord is watching out for us. It might be annoying initially to have things not go as we think they should but knowing that ultimately He is striving for our happiness we can sit back and enjoy the ride even if it is a bit more like the "Matterhorn" then "Its a Small World After All". :0)
Well, there are our little miracles and dramas that has recently testified of the Lord's hand in all the minute details of our lives. I hope it helps you also see how much He is watching out for you even if it happens to be that your car is dead too! :0) And check out Stew's HOT new ride!!! We aren't sure if we should name it "Carlos" because it has very Mexican inspired seat covers or if it should have an all American name like "Bob" because it has a ton of patriotic stickers inside it. I get the giggles every time I see Stewart driving it. Its a cute endearing little truck and we are very grateful for it!
I have deduced a theory pertaining to my wellbeing as a stay at home mom that I think might apply to other moms too. --- like my trying to sound smart--- and it goes something like this... While in school and in the work force people get lots of reinforcement when they are doing a good job. It is formal, it is something we can put on our resumes, and say look I am worth a lot to important people. Students get grades on papers, test, and the class as a whole. When they ask good questions or say smart comments they are complimented and the teacher takes note. When they do their reading and get full points on their quiz it reinforces that their efforts are noticed and that they will be rewarded with a high grade in the class. Working mom's get paid, they get (hopefully) compliments from their co-workers and bosses and as they excel their expectations they eventually win awards and get promotions. But us mom's who are at home all the time get... Well, not as formal and dependable reinforcements showing that our efforts are appreciated and noticed. I will never get an award for being mom of the month, or teacher of the year, I will never get a promotion or an "A" for busting my but all day long. Most the time that is fine but somedays its not, and I find myself wanting someone to say to me "you rock!", "that scrapbooking page is so cute" , "you are a great mom", "you cook the best food", or "wow you have been keeping up with the laundry so much better these days, way to go". On days like this I remind Stewart that I am in need of an "A" or something to show that I am appreciated and he is very obliging but when you ask for a compliment is just doesn't seem to do much for you. Any mom whether she works or not dose a lot of work that is somehow expected and not often given substantial credit for. So I think that what we as moms, working, stay at home, or in school alike do is turn to each other to get our high fives, promotions, and "A"'s . We blog , call, and email about our latest crafts, about our triathlon, and our baby's cuteness so that someone out there will comment and say you are amazing, good job and we can feel like all our efforts aren't in vain and stay motivated. So in that spirit here are some little "A"s for all you awesome mom's that I know look at my blog: :0)
Kirsten, you have a beautiful smile, your kids are sooo smart and good natured, you have a great marriage, and you are endlessly thoughtful of others. Not to mention your craftiness is out of this world.
Megan, you are so smart, funny, and kind. And really brighten my day with your awesome blogging. You make me smile everyday with it. And if I had to do Kindergarten again I would defiantly want you as my teacher.
Sherri, you look like you have never had a baby but you have the wisdom of someone who has had five.
Suzie, you are so kind to everyone. I have never heard you say an unkind thing! You seem to effortlessly make everything beautiful and make people feel loved.
Becca, you always make me feel so good about everything. Whenever we talk I am all smiles. I miss you! and your adorable kids too :0) you make being a mom look so easy.
Treva, I think you are brilliant, and beautiful. I would die for your skin! And your kids are brilliant like you too! I wish I could be half as motivated for excellence as you are.
Anj, you are the most calming reassuring person I know. You always make me feel better about everything and so cared about. You make the world better by just being you! I always thought that if I wasn't able to have mom as my mom I'd want you to be my mom.
Mom Smith, What can I say, I love you! You make everything beautiful, funny, and safe for me. You have always been able to calm my worst storms and even help me laugh through them.
Bethany, you are so caring and fun. I know if I need someone to talk to you will drop everything and be there for me. You understand people so well and go above and beyond to make them know how loved they are. And something about your kids I just adore. I think the world of them. And Lee always makes me laugh too, your home is one of my dearest homes away from home.
Mom Ras, you have shown me so much love and kindness. I never seem to see the end of all your thoughtfulness. I look to you as my friend and example and treasure my relationship with you. I feel so grateful to be so embraced by you and the family even though I have so many annoying quirks. Thank you.
Eden, you have been such a good friend to me. I always have fun with you and you get me to laugh. You are so thoughtful! You always amaze me with all the lengths you will go to help those around you. I miss you! plus you dress way cute. :0)
Mary Anne, you have been such a good aunt to me. I cant tell you how much your interest in my life means to me. You are soooo thoughtful, sharing, and loving. Eden and I always talk about how much we appreciate your generosity and warmth. And your kids are beautiful!
Amy, I am so glad you have befriended me and involved me in your life. You are so kind and willing to help me and watch my kids. I always learn from you how I can be a better mom. And the fact that Patrick can sing the BYU fight song makes it apparent that you are a very wise fun mom. :0)
Mallory, you have been so nice to befriend me too! You are so talented at everything! I love my hair cut and you always dress so cute. You are always so willing to help me out! Thank you! Oh, I have Carson's bottle I need to get back to you. :0)
Deana, you are so faithful to your convictions. You follow your dreams with complete faith and courage. I admire your courage and conviction.
Christie, you always make me feel like a little kid again! You are like a sister to me. I always get the giggles with you and just feel better for knowing you. And you are so beautiful, something I have been jealous of most of my life! You and Joanna always got the guys! :0)
Joanna, you don't have kids yet but I think you deserve one anyways. :0) You have been my only friend who got me and loved being totally retarded along side me from my awkward elementary days to my married frumpy days. You are a great friend. You are a natural artist, have impeccable taste, and are always so thoughtful.
And to everyone else out there that I might be forgetting or don't know that you read my blog, I think you are great! We all deserve tons of promotions, "A"'s, awards and hugs! Way to go all of us! We Rock! :0)
Hey there blogging friends! Well I had this blog entry all ready to go the day after we got back from our trip but I wanted to add some more pictures and we've had some technical difficulties. My sister and I wanted to share the pictures we had taken of each other's families and it was a bit of a process with the sharing happening between two very busy moms and two very unruly computers, so sorry this is over a week past Thanksgiving. And thank you Bethany for working to get those darn pictures to me! :0) So here is my blog entry that has been waiting somewhat patiently to be posted...
Thanksgiving is all about Family, Food and Football! Well,.... I guess gratitude too! :0) We had a wonderful time in LA with my parents and five of my 11 siblings that of course involved family togetherness, yummy fatty foods, watching lots of football, and feeling lots of gratitude. We had thanksgiving dinner at my brother Charles's new house. Which they have made really beautiful. We also were able to visit my niece who is a new mom making Stew a Great Uncle and me a Great Aunt! Crazy huh?!?! Their little guy is adorable! I got to meet my sister Anj's seven week old baby Lauren. She really is a baby beauty. :0) It was fun to see my sister Shayla's pictures for her modeling portfolio. Way to go Shay! The kid's favorite was running around with their five older cousins at the park, Charles's, and around grandma and grandpa's house. We were able to see my Grandma Angeli and her newer place too. It is very cute and she even hosted the football Fans. Go cougars!
We not only got to visit the Smith side of the family but were able to hang out with Josh and Sherri Gunn, our cousins on Mom Rasmussen's side, and our friends the Sellers who were there visiting with the Gunns for the holiday. Josh and Sherri also have a new little girl and it was so fun to catch up with them and see their little angels Ellie and Grace and the Seller's little stud Kye. We also were able to see my best friend since I was a baby, JoAnna. YAY! I instructed my kids that she is their AUNT Joanna not just Joanna. :0) It was so good to see her and she even came bearing gifts too! She is such a generous friend! Overall we had a wonderful time and I think it was the perfect trip for us. We both feel rejuvenated and plumped up from my mom's and my sister-in-law Tami's gourmet home cooking. :0) Exactly what you want out of your Thanksgiving! We already miss my family but feel so grateful we were able to share our thanksgiving with them.
Here are the Things we are Thankful for this Thanksgiving Vacation:
- Seeing my wonderful family: I am all about family so I was in heaven!
- being able to be in beautiful Lush, Sunny, and warmer then Reno California! there are reasons people pay a fortune to live is Southern Cali! It is beautiful!
- that the kids did so good in the car- - - its a pretty long drive, 9 hours on our way home
- watching our kids loving their cousins... 'priceless'
- seeing the miracle of babies and the joy they bring our lives and our family's lives- - -hurray for Anj, Sherri and Christie's new additions
- THAT BYU WON! :0)
- the huge generosity of my parents- thank you a million times!
- that Stew got to help my dad draw blue prints for the house they want to build! Stew said it tided with BYU's win, and my mom's food as his highlight of his trip. So dad, Stew had as much fun doing it as you did! :0) and I had fun shopping for the "materials" with you too!
- that you'd have no idea that my grandma is 90 and that my dad is 79! They act 20 years younger then they are! My dad is planning on buying a minivan! I love it! Maybe he'll pass it on to us when he "grows" out of it. hint hint :0)
- that I got to see Christie my niece. She is one of my favorite people ever- instant giggles when we get together
- Seeing Joanna my best friend and that she hooked me up with some way cute clothes and designer cup cakes! fashion, food and my BFF is a great combination :0)
- that my brother Charles gave us a ton of awesome hand-me-down clothes for Angeli, honestly she will be styling till she is three!
- that our car functioned properly- - - it has lots of issues and miles :0(
- that on the drive home Stew and I had a really spiritual conversation about the Gospel and set a lot of good goals about missionary work and our family's future. Long drives always seems to give us time to get down to the deep stuff we sometimes skim over in day-to-day life
- That we have the Gospel. Church on Sunday really touched my heart. I realized even more how blessed we are with having the Gospel
- that we have our little family
- and that we have all of you!
My family dose a pretty weak job at taking pictures but this trip my sister Bethany and I made sure we got some. So I actually will have pictures of this trip! Yay! Here are some of Stew and my favorites...
Angeli being cute at the park
The Manly Boys who braved the tree!
Angeli and her cousin Eden who is three months older then her. They're already good buddies.
Me and my beautiful Niece Christie and her cute 3 month old little man, who's really not so little (he weighs more than Angeli) but rather very very cute. :0)
Bridger LOVING his uncle Charles's 'Daw gee'!
The Kids' Saturday night bath time with their cousin Eden!
the cutest bathers I ever bathed!
Me feeling like I could take on twins if they were as cute as these two!
Well, four years ago this week Stewart got down on one knee and asked me if I'd be his little misses. My bling bling was a pink ring pop but it was non-the-less very sweet. :0) A couple of days later he did it all over again with the real bling'n ring and it was fun to be proposed to twice. Here's our little engagement stories. :0)
The first proposal was as we walked back to the car from our snow picnic up by bridal veil falls. As we walked Stewart kept trying to find reasons to stop and get into his backpack. I was so cold I just wanted to get back to the car. He kept saying things like, " Hey, lets throw rocks in the puddle" and I was totally bemused at his need to stop in the frigid cold and do stupid things. Finally, I said something about needing to tell my mom that we were thinking of getting married in February and he said, "Well, we better make it official then." I stood their in shock as he got down on one knee shaking more from nerves then cold and asked with a big old grin on his face "will you marry me". I said yes and started to laugh as he grabbed the wrong hand and placed a big pink ring pop on my cold blue finger. He later told me that the day was all planned but the ring wasn't ready in time so he bought a ring pop last minute. Such a cute guy thing! :0)
PS I still have the ring pop! Its a little deformed but its in a ring box in my drawer. Bridger did try to eat it once but luckily I caught him and saved it from the mortal peril of baby slobber.
A few days later we were going to be flying to my family's for thanksgiving and I wanted a real ring so it would be more official but thought I could suck it up and be fine without it. The last night before we were leaving I had to drop my last midterm research paper off late at night at me professor's office. Stew took me up to campus and seemed rather giddy about it. I just took it as his total crazy in 'loveness' with me and thus was overly excited to be able to spend time with me no matter how mundane. After I dropped my paper off he asked if I'd like to walk around a bit, so we did. We stopped on the outside patio area of the fine arts building at BYU and he gave me a big hug. When he did I could feel his heart pounding really hard. I thought that was a bit weird and I wondered if he thought we were having a really special moment or something. He then stepped back and got down on his knee and asked if I would 'honor him by taking his hand and be his wife'. I told him I would love to and gave him a big kiss. I was so nervous I wouldn't like the ring I didn't even have the courage to look at it and even gave him the wrong hand! You'd think the second time both of us would get it right. :0) For some reason ( I guess the power of the bling) it hit home really strong the second time and instead of laughing we were tearing up. However, we eventually got the giggles and felt like we should call everyone and re-announce our engagement! When we were getting in the car I finally got the courage to look at my ring. And I was so relieved; it was perfect. Three months later we sealed the deal in the Los Angeles temple and really have lived happily ever after!
I am so happy Stew looked beyond the fact that I was two weeks out of high school, was overly emotional, had wounds and many dreams and saw my potential to be a good wife and mother. He took my hand despite all my faults and decided he'd like to try and make a very happy life with me. And I think he has done a really good job. I couldn't imagine a better man then the one I've got!
Here is a little movie I made for the Smith family reunion this summer that I have recently updated a bit. It showcases all the little mile stones we've made together! Enjoy...
Well, things have been a bit crazy this week. I have had so much business I am running out of room to put all my impressions. In this week alone I have done 69 plates! I am so tired! And the week isn't even over yet. It is such a blessing but I was very relived when a daycare canceled for their Monday appointment today because I just don't have much more room! I am really enjoying it though. I love being able to do something a little artistic that is my own creation and also being able to visit with all the moms and cute babies. It is just so crazy how much things have changed these past two weeks. I went from overwhelming excitement at each appointment to relieved at a customer's cancellation. I guess the Lord was serious when He promises we wont have room enough to receive our blessings. I know most of this rush is because of Christmas and the next months will be back to my normal slow pace but this little surge will help get my product out there spreading the word about me. Well, that's the hope at lest.
Impressions taking over my laundry room.
my new carpet cleaner!
Helping me put the silverware away with cake still on his face
Angi eating my mom's chocolate velvet cake, yum!
Just before Halloween I took Angeli to get her 9 month pictures taken and for both of them to get some Halloween pictures as well. They aren't the cutest pictures ever but they're still pretty darn cute so I thought I would share them with you guys.
Life here is going pretty good. I am busy with my business which is a really welcomed blessing. I have appointments every day this week! Yay, for Timeless Treasures! (my business's name). I had my baby fest this Saturday which went really well. Not only was I able to set appointments but I even was able to network with all the other baby oriented businesses that were there. I am going to do impressions at a baby gym next month on their Santa picture day, and I am going to start advertising with a kiddie kandides. I attracted the most customers by far so the Babies R Us people asked me to come to the next two months baby fests. All of these things are really tender mercies that I am so humbled to have. :0) Tomorrow, I am going to Tahoe to do my millions of impressions. I am a bit nervous about it. I am sure it will all go well but it will just be an all day job and I worry my kids will end up a bit neglected. :0( I hate when I have to take on a "watch fifty movies" parenting style.
Stew has his first test since "hell month" on Thursday. We are trying to readjust to having him gone a bit more as the tests are going to start up again. I think as of right now he has "A"'s in all of his nine classes. We are so happy he is not only doing really well but that he is really liking it. He has been a major help to me with my business too and at times I would be doing all nighters if it weren't for his willingness to set down his books despite his deadlines and help me glaze. I think he's even getting better at glazing then me! He is a stud.
And my latest grip/emotional struggle has been feeling a little like a dork. Well its more like I feel like a major dork. :0) Which is compounded by me feeling guilty about feeling like a dork and wishing I was above such things. It is so easy to look at all the things other people are doing, wearing and accomplishing and feel that somehow because they are so good at it that I am no good. It all started when I went to the mall to pick up the kids pictures. Before this day I was on cloud nine. I felt like the luckiest girl in the world. I was humbled at how spoiled I was by my tremendous blessings from Heavenly Father and my generous family members. But this day I had a little time to kill and I was by myself so I thought I would take this rare opportunity to window shop. This was a dumb idea being that I am a poor med-student's wife. As I window and people watched I realized how terribly out of fashion I was and I started to actually feel very bitter at all the people I saw with all their new purchases. I admittedly knew this was very lame but it was non-the- less how I felt. Since then I really struggled to shake it. I just kept seeing all these people with all their "cool" things. And it's not the things themselves that made me jealous but rather what they equated to. I hated that Stew couldn't go out to eat with his med buddies and then felt a little left out, I hated that my kids have a quarter of the toys that their friends have and thus are not as good at playing whatever game it is they are playing, I hated that we cant go on tons of fun family outings, like skiing and such. I hated that when we are invited to do things we have to say no because we don't have the money to go along. I hated that my kids cant go to swimming classes like their buddies. I hated moments like Stew trying to explain that he cant go to the driving range to his friends because we don't have the four dollars it costs and that we have to console ourselves with the idea that we'll be so grateful someday that we saved every penny we could. I feared that these things not only made me a dork but what was even more terrible was that not having these things made me a bad mom and wife in some respect because I couldn't give them all the things I wanted to. I was afraid that people will think my kids aren't smart and good at sports because I haven't given them the same opportunities to develop their talents as other parents. Or that my husband wont be good at golf and feel bad about it only because we didn't ever have the money for him to play. I felt like people will think we are boring dorky people and not realize we are just counting our pennies.
My one real consolation has been thinking about my sister-in-law Kristine. She is perhaps the most Christ like person I know. She has spent her entire life caring about better things then if she looks dorky, or if she has cute clothes or whatever. Every minute of her day is in an effort to help those around her. This has held true when they were dirt poor or well off. I really want to be like her and have realized how far I have to go to achieve that. When I hear her stories of their poor law school days I am very encouraged because I realize that if I want to be like her then I should be excited for this opportunity to practice and truly learn to be happy despite how dorky I might look to others. When I take the time to realize this I then am truly grateful I can take the road less traveled (or at lest a less glamorous one) and stop worrying about my shirt that Bridger has stained and is fraying at the edge, and start to think more about how blessed I am and how I can lift others up instead of pulling myself down. So now when I start to complain Stew has started to say "think of Kristine". With that I feel very humble and realize how vain and petty I am being. I can then hope that I can teach my kids to not worry about what clothes they are wearing or if they are varsity at every sport but rather how they are making the world a better place. Thus, my advise to myself is that I will just have to fully embrace dorkyness and move on to better more important worries. And until I achieve "Kristine status" I will just have to avoid malls, fashion magazines, and very trendy cute people like the plague! :0)
Well, that is my latest issue and on a more upbeat note here are my biggest and best miracles... my beautiful babies :0) .
Very cute and putting her in the wagon thing kept her from crawling all over the place
So she isn't even looking directly at the camera but still I liked it and I wanted one with her looking up while she was in the wagon thing so there it is! :0)
She is a cute baby chick!
I love her expression in this one, she's being a very coy baby chick :0)
And then my favorite puppy dog of all time, Bridger! So cute!
Well my business has been such a roller-coaster for us, but it seems we are really on the up this week and I thought I should write and express my gratitude and excitement to all of you.
This week started with Kiln drama. I am not a ceramic or pottery person and thus I have no idea what I am doing with my kiln. We are always calling Paul and the L&L kiln company to try and make sense of what is going on. But after a day of anxiety and stress over my seemingly broken kiln and tons of deadlines looming I found what was wrong. One of the wires that controls the kiln temperature was touching the outside of the kiln. That was it! I moved it over and Ta Da! It works! I was soooooooooo relived, no ordering parts from Pennsylvania or anything!
Then on Wednesday I actually had a client and they spent over $80 on their baby girl! I was thrilled! We can now really really afford to go to California for Thanksgiving! I get to see my very dear family and California based friends, Smiles all around! :0)
I then received a call from a lady in Tahoe who has arranged for me to come to four different daycares and take over 40 impressions! What a huge blessing! I am also going to two other daycares in Reno in next two weeks. So great! Bless those daycares!
Today my angel of a friend, Amy, watched the kids for me so I could try to place some samples in doctors offices and something truly amazing happened; they actually let me put them in their offices! Not only that, but the receptionists were all in a buzz about my product and telling me all the stuff they are going to get and that they will be calling me soon. So wonderful!
And this Saturday I am going to have a table up as part of the Babies R US's "Baby Fest". Hopefully I can set up appointments with all the mommies struck by my product. :0) This is another huge blessing!
I whole heartedly contribute this little spree of blessings to the kindness of Heavenly Father on the behalf of all the prayers and fasts my loved ones have done for me and my little business. It is so great to feel like we don't have to keep pursuing my business on blind faith but rather start seeing opportunities start pouring in. :0) Thank you so much for your prayers, baby sitting, fasting, helping me make samples with your babies, and patience in letting me vent and fret to so many of you. I'll remember your kindness even when I am racking in the millions. :0) I love you guys!
My holiday edition, cute huh?!?!? - - - and I even spelled her name right! :0)