TRIALS

Sorry my phone takes bad pictures if you move at all. And Ryan always moves!

Jared and I decided to make a sacrifice and split up for the next month. Jared will be working in Denver and I will be here at home, with Ryan, holding down the fort--it wasn't worth giving up my job. Before he left we all got sick. Ryan threw up one night and I expressed my fear of it happening again while Jared was gone. Jared assured me that it wouldn't happen and things would be fine. Well... He couldn't have been more WRONG!!! Not only have I been sick with a head cold and a stomach bug, but Ryan has too! In addition to Ryan's sickness, she is also getting new teeth in! Needless to say, I have cleaned up more throw up than I ever thought possible in a lifetime! (That's me being dramatic of course but it is a lot!) I have found that Ryan gets car sick, and that some poop smells and looks identical to throw up...at least it stays contained...IF YOU ARE LUCKY!! I think that I needed to be tried so that I could come out on top and know that I am not a bad mom, but rather a GREAT mom! I never thought I would be glad that I had to go through so much puke, poop, boogers, and sleepless nights just to feel confident in myself as a mother! GO ME!

PS. Jared I know you worry but we REALLY are doing just fine! I love you, miss you, and hope you know that when you come back you will have to take care of all diapers and ALL barf for a month. WE LOVE YOU

Starting to Look

So it has been a little too long sense my last post. I decided to post some good news. We are starting to put our feelers out again for ADOPTION. We are not quite to the point of starting with an agency just yet, but we will be shortly. We are well aware that you can adopt without an agency so we are going to put feelers out first and see if we can find another baby without any agency. So if you know anyone who may look to place a baby keep us in mind--give out our number. If you are having a baby maybe you can ask your doctor if he knows of any mothers looking to place--that's how we got Ryan. We don't doubt that another child will come in good time, but it would be awesome if we could do it just like we did with Ryan. Ryan needs a sibling sometime...she is starting to be too comfortable as an ONLY CHILD--if you know what I mean:)

Hunting... almost like Dad

This morning I was getting ready for work and a song came on the radio that made me stop and think. It's called "Things wont always be this way" Its a country song--I hope you know what I am talking about. Anyway... It's about a little girl who grows up and the parents are struggling through different phases of raising a child. They get through it by reminding themselves that things wont always be this way. It made me almost sad... and yet hopeful too! I know some times its hard with Ryan, but I wish I could keep her small forever! The day will come when I will wish she were small again! I just hope it's not too soon! I just wish I could keep it this way forever!

Ryan's first Easter Egg hunt!





Ryan was so cute! She would pick up an egg in each hand and then notice Riley with an egg...at that point Ryan would throw both eggs and swipe the one egg that Riley had! Not long after the kids got real smart! Dax was getting all the eggs in his basket, Riley was slowly taking from Dax's basket, and Ryan was taking everything from Riley. In the end I would say that Ryan was the smartest because no one was taking from her except maybe me--hey I like candy too! It was so fun!

THE TOP 10 WORST

When you are one life is so hard! I have found that there are things that make life so rough at this age! Maybe that is why most of us can't remember this age!

10. Teething! Ouch! Tiny razor blades cutting your mouth up never was FUN!

9. Being told "NO." Who loves being told that they can't put their tooth brush in the TOILET!

8. Falling down constantly. At least at this age you are low to the ground! Bumps and bruises are not uncommon!

7. Not being able to run around during church!

6. Can't run in the ROAD! Why is it that the parking lot seems to be the most awesome place to play! I can't believe they say NO to that!

5. Having to sit down when you are eating! How mean is that! I mean why can't you just let me fall out of my chair and break my neck? It would sure beat having to sit down while I eat!!

4. Taking naps! Shouldn't a one year old be able to just run around and play? Even when they are at the brink of tears due to tiredness!

3. Showers! Why should mom be allowed to take a shower! It is cruel to step behind a curtain to cleanse your body... not to mention selfish!

2. Not allowing me to put my hands in the poop when you change my diaper! It's my poop...I should be able to do with it what I will! Right?

1. Whipping my nose! I would sooner die than have the snot cleaned off my face! There is nothing more cruel than this!!

The Big 24!

Yesterday was my birthday! I am now the big 24! It's crazy to think that I am already 24! I remember being a kid and thinking that 20 was old! Now I am past 20 and know that 20 is young and so is 24! To celebrate, Jared took me out for dinner and shopping in St. George! We had fun! Then on my birthday he got me the movie Twilight and some potted tulips to watch grow! I was thrilled! There isn't much to ask for when you already have everything that you need!

PS... Happy Birthday Amanda who shares my exact same birthday--down to the year and everything!

One Year Photo

Ryan went with her cousin Riley to get their One year pictures taken. Riley went first and was so good. She was smiling so big--they even got her to get into a little box and smiled! Then it was Ryan's turn. In the past Ryan has been a peach, however, now she is too big to be good for the camera! She started to cry almost as soon as I set her down! It was terrible until the photographer gave her a kiss...a CHOCOLATE Kiss! She was good after that--still sad,but good. She is actually holding the kiss in this picture, you just can't see it! PERFECT!

Bumps and Bruises

So Ryan thinks she can just run around and never get hurt. I tried to tell her that she needs me so that she wont get hurt, but she is not a very good listener. We were on our way to the mail box and she decided that she did not need to hold my had any more--just as we walked down a slight slope. Well... I hate to say "I told you so" to a toddler, but "I TOLD YOU SO!" She fell right on her face and she got scraped up! I felt so horrible! Why didn't I just make her hold my hand! This could have been avoided! I also remembered that this might be the first fall but it wont be the last! I just felt terrible! I was going to post a picture of her face, but then I made a trip to Wal-mart and after every single woman in the store questioned me about the bruise and cuts I think I might be tagged for child abuse. I didn't do it though! It was the stinkin' sidewalk that beat her I swear!!