Family Pictures

We FINALLY got our first family pictures taken this week. We had an appointment at 9 am, and the person working the photo place at Sears apparently had a rough night and didn't show up until 9:30! I thought the girls were going to lose it. Despite the bad luck, we got some awesome pictures! The best part is that we bought the copyright to all the pictures, so we can print as many as we want and burn CD's for anyone who wants one. Let us know if you want any.

My Best Friend

For the past (over) four years, I have know and (for a good majority of that time) been married to the most wonderful man. I knew when I first told Matt I loved him and when I said yes to him, that he was pretty great, but living with him day in and day out and getting to know him on a deeper level has caused me to be on my knees many times, thanking my Heavenly Father that I get to share my life someone that is truly incredible.

He knows my weaknesses better than anyone, and still loves me. He's even helped me conquer a few!(Phew, my eyes are starting to get a bit watery). He has taught me how to love and serve others. He is my example in so many ways. He is my confidant when I am worried or frustrated, when I'm not as forgiving to others or myself as I ought to be. He works so hard to make sure I have time to develop myself, so I can preserve the "whole" Lisa, not just the "Mommy" part of me. He forgives and loves me when I'm not as thoughtful of him as I should be. He makes sure I know I am loved and appreciated by him.

Matt is an incredible daddy. His little girls just burst with energy and smiles that hardly seem possible for their little bodies the moment he comes home, and they are so sad when he goes off to study again. He always takes time to play with and give attention to both of them, and is so careful to make sure neither girl feels left out. He's never balked at changing a horribly poopy diaper or wiping high volumes of spit-up, and I often catch him telling stories or singing songs to one or both girls. He can never resist getting a little surprise for Vanessa at the store, just to see her reaction when he brings it home (I have no doubt he'll soon be doing the same for Nicole as she becomes more "aware of" surprises) .

(This is a shot Vanessa took. I thought it was cute, and I hate to admit it, but she's taken more pictures of him then I have lately...I keep meaning to make him "pose" for me)

He is such a talented man. He not only loves being in his Marriage and Family Therapy program, but he does so well at it. He has a natural and pure charm that allows him to get along well with professors, classmates, and clients (and really anyone he meets). He is so observant of others and often is concerned about the rough time they might be having, or if they need someone to talk to. He has an impressive writing style. I love when he asks me to proof-read his research papers--not because I am much helping actually proofing--I get to read his work and see his amazing way with words. I love watching him teach. He is great at engaging the class and explaining the concept. He has so many other talents that help him to succeed in his work and make it clear he will do well in counseling, teaching, and research.

Matt doesn't let anything stop him. He has recently developed sciatic pain in his leg. It makes mornings (and often nighttimes) especially rough. Although he has found ways to minimize it, it has definitely made life more complicated. Even though he has every right to complain about it, I rarely hear him say a word about it. I often catch him doing things that I know especially fire up the pain (unfortunately, even picking up the girls can hurt). Although I try to relieve him of those things, or at least do the lifting/bending, he still insists on doing it, not wanting to leave it all for me. And, already he is talking about doing another marathon!

I could continue on, and still not be able to fully express what an amazing man I have in my life. Just the other night, he had so much to do, but we got to talking. We just kept talking and hanging out with each other, doing nothing in particular, but loving every minute of it. I probably make it hard for him to get anything done. Each time I get to be around him it just makes my whole day wonderful. I love you, Sweetheart.

(Okay, I know Nicole steals the show in this one...She was the intended person for the video anyway, but I also love it because of Matt's role in the shot, too. And as always, please forgive my lack of filming skills)

It was an exhausting day!

I was wishing I could join them!

Learning to become humble...

Today, as I look around my house at the remains of the week, I remember a discussion we had with friends recently. We talked about how the Lord doesn't give us only what we can handle by ourselves, he gives us a little more so that we turn to Him. That couldn't be truer right now. I kept struggling with feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and even depressed lately, and it started to worry me. I like to think of myself as a normally cheerful person with occasional down days. But this was different. This wasn't me. As I tried to figure out why and what to do (and frankly how in the world I was going to motivate myself to get anything done), it finally hit me--I was not growing spiritually. My prayers and scripture study had fallen by the wayside as I tried to meet all the demands of each day, and I was suffering for it.

Well, with that in mind, and a recent, beautiful lesson I heard on prayer, I revised my schedule, knowing I needed those things to be priority for my own sake, if nothing else. The change was almost immediate. I felt so much more peace, things felt more doable, and I more easily recognized the frequent, loving answers to my prayers. I truly felt the amazing love the Lord has for me, and for all those I prayed for. He softly reminded me that he was aware of me and what I struggle with, and as the perfect parent He is, He comforted me and taught me that His will is doable, but He did not ask us to do it without Him.

Last night we had our big Christmas Enrichment. I had great hopes that it would be an enjoyable and spiritual evening for all the women, but in the flurry of getting everything ready for it, I didn't think much about gaining something spiritual out of it myself. I was amazed to find that during the singing in the program, the sisters had a beautiful, heavenly sound. It wasn't so much that it was talented singing (although it was that, too), it was so serene, and the Spirit was strong in the room. It seemed that while we were celebrating the birth of the Savior and all he has given us, that He gave me peace that night, and I like to think that He gave it to each woman there that needed it.

I am so grateful the Lord loves me so much. I'm grateful He knows me so well, even my little quirks. And, I'm grateful He wants me to come to Him, to seek His help so that I can not only grow, but help and serve others as well. May each of you feel the deep and abiding love of the Lord for you throughout this Christmas season and every day of your lives!

Temple Square Lights

The day after Thanksgiving, we took a trip to Temple Square to see the lights. For those who haven't been in Utah around the holidays, Temple Square gets covered in Christmas lights every year. It is a lot of fun to walk around and see an already beautiful place look even more impressive. It really go us all excited for Christmas. We all froze, but it was worth it to get out and see the lights. The girls enjoyed it too, despite the apathetic facial expressions they decided to show in every picture!

Tri-TAG-athon

So, I have been tagged a few times...and I haven't been ignoring them, I just seem to always have something else that I want to post when I see I've been tagged. Now, for those who've tagged me, and those who are interested (for those who aren't, stayed tuned for our Thanksgiving post) here are my three tags rolled in to one big get-to-know-weird-stuff-about-Lisa-palooza:

For Delee:

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Starting my sophomore year of HS
2. Quitting violin (something I’ve really regretted)
3. Being boy-crazy
4. Studying for my driving permit
5. Probably mowing the lawn…a lot!

5 things on my to-do list today:
1. Finish Thanksgiving shopping (I’m trying to find clams and a used bundt pan)
2. Make a dent in laundry (it truly never ends!)
3. Drop off red box movie that will now be costing us $4
4. Pass out Enrichment invitations
5. Make pumpkin cheesecake and clam dip

5 snacks I enjoy:
1. Chocolate Satin Pie
2. almonds
3. grapes
4. Chips and salsa
5. Ice cream (only I can’t have it right now…do they make that lactose-free?)

5 songs I know the lyrics to (these are ones I sing almost daily):
1. “A Dream is a Wish You Heart Makes”
2. “So This is Love” (Vanessa makes me dance with her to this one)
3. “Part of That World” (can you tell we’re in princess mode?)
4. “I am a Child of God”
5. “Teach Me to Walk in the Light”

5 Things I would do if I were a millionaire:
1. Pay off student loans
2. Travel!
3. Buy a new car (probably a mini-van), and pay off the one we have
4. Give very nice gifts to family and friends
5. Donate money to charities that help pay for children's needs (especially medical)

5 bad habits:
1. Eating crunchy food with my mouth open (I think I only do it at home when I’m spacing out)
2. Being judgemental
3. Wanting to be right
4. Interrupting people
5. Spending too much time on the computer/TV

5 things I’ll never wear again:
1. Socks with dress shoes
2. Tucked-in oversized t-shirts
3. schrunchies
4. My clothes from high school
5. A size 2

5 favorite toys:
1. Computer/internet
2. Camera
3. Label maker (yeah, I’m a nerd)
4. Sewing machine
5. Car

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For Brittney:

I am supposed to write 6 facts about myself.

1. I am a chocoholic. I know other people say it, but I think I even have withdrawals and mood changes when I don’t have it. Matt calls me a “chocolate snob” because most of the time I just want creamy European milk chocolate.

2. I am crazy about camping! Hanging out in the outdoors overnight makes me so happy! Having kids has slowed the craving a little, but only because they don’t sleep well in a tent. I can’t wait for my girls to get older so I can teach them the joys of setting up a tent and building a campfire.

3. I love to read. And read. And read. I used to read whole books in a day, pausing only to do necessary things, and even then I would find ways to do them while I read. Now I read while I nurse.

4. I enjoy folding laundry. I don’t enjoy the piles upon piles around my house, nor do I enjoy hanging clothes up. But I do love to grab warm, clean clothes and fold them, placing them in nice neat piles. And I love matching socks. I know, I’m weird!

5. I love Christmas time. As the air gets crisper, the lights go up, and cheerful music starts to play everywhere, I get giddy. I know it means time for hanging out with family, eating good food, celebrating, singing, and remembering the Saviour’s birth and all He’s done for us. It’s truly what makes winter wonderful.

6. I live for music. I love to sing, especially harmonizing as an alto. I used to dream of performing as a soloist, but since then, reality set in. I also love playing the piano (although I’ve never gotten far and lost much of what I had). Listening to other beautiful music is a joy, too.

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For Becki:

Someone gives you money and sends you into the grocery store to pick up 4 items. You can only pick one thing from the following departments.. what is it?
1. Produce: Asparagus
2. Bakery: Rolls
3. Meat: Steak
4. Frozen: Chocolate Satin Pie

Let's say we're heading out for a weekend getaway. You're only allowed to bring 3 articles of clothing with you. So, what's in your bag?
1. unmentionables
2. dress
3. coat

If I was to listen in on one of your conversations throughout the day, what 5 phrases or words would I be most likely to hear?
1. You’re such a good big sister…but be gentle with her!
2. You need to go potty?3. Did you spit up again?
4. How was your day, Sweetie?
5. I think I want some chocolate!

So, what 3 things do you find yourself doing every single day, and if you didn't get to do, you probably wouldn't be in the best mood?
1. Check e-mail/blog
2. Alone time (reading, showering, etc.)
3. Adult conversation (with Matt especially)

Sweet, you just scored a whole afternoon to yourself. We're talking a 3 hour block with nobody around. What 5 activities might we find you doing?
1. Catching up on sleep
2. Reading (preferably outdoors, unless it’s cold)
3. Madly working on some half-finished project
4. Going to the temple (a free 3-hour block is not a frequent treat)
5. Hanging out with a good friend

We're going to the zoo. But, it looks like it could start storming, so it'll have to be a quick visit. What 3 exhibits do we have to get to?
1. Tigers
2. Monkeys
3. Sea otters

You just scored tickets to the taping of any show that comes on t.v. of your choice. You can pick between 4, so what are you deciding between?
1. Martha Stewart
2. Oprah (because she gives out awesome gifts)
3. Cosby Show ( okay, I know it’s just reruns now, but Bill Cosby is my favorite comedian
4. Any game show where I could be a contestant and walk away with a good chunk of money

You're hungry for ice cream. I'll give you a triple dipper ice cream cone. What 3 flavors can I pile on for ya?
1. Burnt Almond Fudge
2. Cookie Dough
3. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Somebody stole your purse/wallet…in order to get it back, you have to name 5 things you know are inside to claim it. So, what's in there?
1. Brown Wallet
2. Cell phone
3. Nicole’s toys
4. Snacks (granola bar, string cheese, craisins) for Vanessa and me
5. Chapstick

You are at a job fair, and asked what areas you are interested in pursuing a career in. Let's pretend you have every talent and ability to be whatever you wanted, so what 4 careers would be fun for you?
1. Photographer
2. Marriage & Family Therapist
3. Interior or Fashion Designer
4. Geneticist

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By the way, since I am so horrible about being "it," I don't know that I should make someone else "it," so...the first three people who want to be tagged, mention it in your comment, then talk part or all of this and start typing like crazy!

Happy 6-months, Sweetpea!

I can't believe it's been 6 months since our cute little Peanut was this small!

She's changed so much, but has always been such a sweet, happy girl.

Goodness knows there have been some exhausting days...

and some that were just plain tough...

But all in all, there's been lots of fun!





We love you, Nicolli-poli!

What Nicole is up to now:

Rolling across the floor

Blowing spit bubbles

Trying to play with/eat everything in sight

Smiling at everyone she meets

Squealing and making other fun noises

Playing peek-a-boo

Working on sitting up (not quite there yet)

Just being stinkin' cute! And...

Trying to convince us she'll do just fine without her brace, thank you very much!