Girls and dolls...

Heidi loves playing with her babies. I often check on her at night before I go to sleep and find several babies or stuffed animals tucked in beside her. They are usually covered up in one of Heidi's shirts or a hand towel. The last time she did this some of her smaller babies were covered up with a diaper from her cabbage patch doll. So for Heidi's birthday I decided to make her a blanket and pillow for her babies. We went to the fabric store and Heidi picked out this really cute material. It had to be pink of course and has all these cute little baby things on it.

We ended up with enough material to make 2 blankets, 2 pillows and 4 burp cloths. Heidi told me her babies were very excited for their new things. Heidi helped to stuff one of the pillows, but when one of the blankets was finished she had to try it out to see if her baby liked it. Next thing I knew she had sweet talked Connor into finishing stuffing the pillows.

As soon as I finished with everything I went to go check on my little mommy. She was in her room telling her babies it was dark outside and time to go to sleep. Heidi lovingly tucked her babies in and kissed them on their little heads. Heidi told me how they would be warm now but they won't stop fighting over the burp cloths. Little girls are so cute.

I couldn't help but take a few quick pictures of my adorable girl before leaving her alone to play with her babies.

When I walked past her room a little while later I couldn't help but stop and watch. She had lined up her dolls in front of her kitchen. Placed all the new bedding on the floor in front of them, and was taking pictures of everything using a box of crayons as a camera. Oh she makes me laugh. What an imagination!

Gratitude....

So I've decided that on Fridays I'm going to write about 5 things I'm thankful for. It's a good way to keep things in perspective and to remember how good my life really is.

1.) New Friends...

I am thankful for Bryan's new friend. His name is Alex and lives just two doors down from us. I'm so happy Bryan has found someone he can play with and talk to. It's also filled my heart to see how big Bryan's heart is. The first time Bryan talked to Alex it was while walking home from school.
Alex's bike broke just as they turned on our street. I was waiting outside for the boys when I saw Bryan stop to talk to a boy on his bike. Connor came running home telling me that Bryan was trying to help this boy fix his bike. Next thing I knew Bryan and this boy were in my garage working on the problem. Bryan reminds me so much of his dad, always wanting to help those in need. After about 20 minutes the bike was fixed and Alex was on his way home. Since then they've been really good friends. I'm thankful to have a son with such a caring heart.

2.) Cooler Weather...

I am so thankful that the weather has finally cooled down. It has been so lovely to be able to have our windows open during the day. It's nice to let the fresh air in. My favorite part about the cooler weather though is the night time. I love being able to wrap up in blankets up to my eyeballs and feel the cold air on my face. This really is my favorite time of the year.

3.) Hot Chocolate...


Now that it's colder I'm thankful for hot chocolate. Chocolate in any form is truly a blessing. However there is just something about hot chocolate that is both comforting and soul filling. I don't know if it's because of the memories of childhood that fill my mind as the smell of creamy chocolate goodness comes from my mug; or if it's because I'm always reminded of family and the comfort of home. With every sip it's like being wrapped in a warm chocolate hug. (Did I mention I like chocolate?) My children love hot chocolate. They all stand around the stove watching the steam come from the pan. Fighting over who gets to put in the marshmallows. The best part about hot chocolate are the chocolate mustaches and smiles that remain once the mug is empty.

4.) Being at home...


After having to work the last few Christmas' at your friendly neighborhood Walmart I am so thankful this year to be at home. I'm able to do all the things that I've really missed. Decorate my home with all of our decorations that we've collected over the years, bake cookies, watch old Christmas movies on tv, etc. I guess you could say that I'm thankful for time. Time spent with my family is my favorite thing in the world.

5.) Gratitude...

I am honestly thankful to have a heart filled with gratitude. These last few years have been extremely difficult. Full of burden and trial. I can look back on those now and feel blessed by the experience. I was taught many things. I learned that my family is my home and a house is just the walls that surround it. I feel we can overcome anything as long as we do it together. I know I'm stronger than I ever thought. I'm thankful for the things I have such as my husband and children, and the knowledge to know what's really important. When things were really tough it was hard to be thankful but now I wouldn't trade that time for anything. I feel my life is richer for the experience and that is something to really be full of thanks for.


with love
~amy

Thoughts...

I can't believe it's been more than 2 years since I last posted on this blog. I'm sure no one even noticed. I've thought about this blog a lot lately, ever since there was a lesson in Relief Society about remembering where you come from. It was also about the importance of keeping some type of journal, a recording of daily things. Some one had suggested that a blog was a good idea, or to keep a book with cards or notes that you've been given. So I've decided that I'm really going to try and write as often as I can about the things going on in our lives. Even though I haven't posted anything in over 2 years it was still fun to read the things I wrote. Even if I'm the only person that ever reads this, that's ok. It's fun to look back and see how things have changed and how my kids have grown.


with love,

~Amy