Just like Uncle Rusty

So the other day while I was in the car with Grant, he started doing something new... Sticking out his tongue at me. It was actually pretty funny!! Two nights ago while Mark, Grant and I were having dinner, I decided to give Grant an Oreo Cookie. For those that don't know, that is his favorite cookie! I started to egg him on. I would show him my tongue and he would show me his. I couldn't help but notice HOW LONG HIS TONGUE IS!!! There are only three people I know that have long tongues. Myself, Rusty and my nephew Cody. I told Mark to hurry and grab the camera... Oh the memories we are able to catch by modern technology!!

So now Grant has one more things like his favorite Uncle. I guess looking like him wasn't enough.

Blossoms of Blessings

Mark and I have this horrible habit at night. We always bring the lap top in bed and look at different things. Last night I received an email from my older sister, Kendi, who had gotten an email from my dad. As I wad telling Mark the story behind the email, my heart sank and I couldn't help but cry. My cousin Katie was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years ago. I was sad to hear the news that the cancer had come back.

As anyone can imagine the financial burden is heavy. My Aunt Janice and her daughters (very VERY creative daughters... must have skipped the Alan Bingham family) has set up a blog for her. I invite you to visit and read her story.

http://blossomsofblessings.blogspot.com/

I wish the best out come for her, and my prayers are with her and her family as they battle this together!!

Mommy Moments

Since moving down south, I have started working full time for a local hospital. Before, I had the chance of spending almost all of my time with Grant. I love being his mom, and watching him grow. Now my time is limited. My job is really stressful, and a lot to learn. Being a mom is also stressful and extremely difficult at times. I would give up my full time job in a heartbeat, to be a full time mommy if I could.


Since my time being a mom and a wife is limited now. It has given me a new insight about things. I desperately want to be the best wife and mother. I don't want to waste the precious time doing nothing, or being upset at Grant or telling him no. Along with my plan to clean this past weekend, I wanted to have "family" time. It is important to me that Mark bond with Grant, and that we bond together at as a whole. Yes, Saturday was full of cleaning and running around, but it was also full of laughter and talking. I love Mark so much, and he is so good to me. How did I ever get so lucky? Here is the DL about our weekend. Sunday morning Mark watched Grant so I could get a little more sleep, and then we were off to church! It was Grant's first time in nursery without mommy. He did VERY good, but I was lonely!

When we got home we all laid down for a quick nap. After Grant woke up, we all headed outside. The day was over-cast, and so Mark built us fire. Our home sits on 4 1/2 acres, and there are a lot of things to do on it.... We just need to work on getting it all up to speed! Just so everyone has an idea... We want to buy two calves and raise them. We also are going to do chickens! The property has a barn on it. Right now the dogs occupy one part of it. Only 1 acre is fenced in. We also want to put in a garden, and a lot of different fruit trees! We are hoping that someday we will be able to buy the home. If that happens we have talked about adding on.

Anywho, we ate dinner outside on our porch swing. Then we went out to the fire pit and made smoores. Grant still hasn't grasped the whole waiting for the marshmallow to roast, and just ate the marshmallows uncooked. We had camp chairs outside. We then came inside and played around.

Everynight Mark and I give Grant his bath. This picture was taken a few weeks ago, but Grant loves bath time!! We read and pray together as a family. I am really blessed to have such a wonderful family. I pray that I will be able to continue to spend quality time with them. That both Grant and Mark know how much I love and am grateful for them!

My Brave Little Man

Well today was Saturday, Valentine's Day... And I had every intention of waking up and getting things done. Mostly, I desired that I could finally get my house cleaned (if you have seen my house since we've moved in, it has been, uhmm, a disaster!!) Sitting here tonight, it's hard to believe I didn't get more done. This past month and a half has flown by, and every minute I have, I have wanted to spend it with my little family. My home in return has suffered, and I was determined to work on it!

When we woke up this morning, Mark had mentioned that he needed to go get his hair cut. Poor Grant, until today, had only gotten a little cut here and there by me. The back of his hair was starting to snarl really easily at night (as you can see in the very 1st picture). Though I loved the curls that he was getting, I decided Grant needed to FINALLY go in. There was a little wait and then it was his turn. It didn't phase him for a few minutes, and then the tears slowly worked up. He cried, and wanted me to hold him. It broke my heart!! I was sad to watch the little hair he had worked SO hard to grow be cut off! After the cut, he was awarded a lolli-pop, which he loved.

I watched him today, and was so amazed at how big he is getting. Mark's mom baby-sits him during the day, along with three other three year olds. Since he has been going to her, he has changed completely. He is such a little boy, and is even acting older than he is!! This hair cut makes the transition complete... My baby is no baby anymore!! But I would have to say that he is a lot funner now!! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful spirit!!!

Oh, and, yes, I got my house clean finally!!

I have two awesome sisters. Sadly, we don't have a picture of just the three of us. I think it is funny that only Megan and I have similar looks. BUT call Kendi, Megan or me up, and you'd have a hard time figuring out who is who (unless you really know us). When I lived with my parents, people would call and think I was Kendi. And there have been many times when Megan or I, have pretended to be the other person on the phone. Fun stuff.

I look at both of them, and am inspired and amazed at who they are. I look at Kendi, and I look up to the type of person she is. If I was ANYTHING like her, it would be a great thing. I love her so much, and am blessed to have her as my older sister. I hope that I can be like her, she is a great role model. Kendi had tried many times to teach me about make-up and doing my hair when I was younger... Now I'm teaching her ;)

Megan... Not sure where that cookie came from. But my life would NOT be the same without her. Yes, as a little girl she beat me up. My little sister could take me down in a heart beat, and she often did. I love her so much, I honestly did not want to ever hurt her. I was always quick to take care of her. I remember one night when she was probably 8, she was sleeping on the floor in our room (we shared a bed that my nieces Erin & Macy now share), anywho, I heard a noise, and turned the light on. She was sleeping, but had thrown up. I got her up and cleaned up after her. She really is my best friend, and I love her beyond anything!!


I Am
I am... trying to be everything to everyone.
I think... yeah, way to much.
I want... to be a stay home mommy & wife, more than anything in this world!!
I have... the best family!
I miss... working at the Wayne Jones company.
I fear... something happening to Mark or Grant.
I hear... slacker.com.
I crave... SLEEP!!
I cry... more than I should!
I regret... to many things.
I search... the Internet.
I wonder... what my Grant is up too right now.
I wish... that our cars were paid off, SOON!
I love... My little family, and of course my extended!!
I care... about getting everything taken care of for my little family.
I always... tell Mark and Grant that I love them as much as possible!
I worry... about my weight and losing it!!
I am not... stuck up.
I remember... Having so much fun with Kim and Amber in High School.
I believe... that I truly have been blessed!
I sing... REALLY loud in the car.
I don't always... do the dishes like I should.
I argue... rarely.
I write... a journal for Grant.
I lose... money when I'm in the Gap.
I listen... to my priesthood holder, Mark.
I can usually be found... at home, or at work.
I need... more time in the day for my family.
I forget... to make the bed.
I am thankful... that I am who I am, and where I am!

I am not really sure where to begin... I guess saying, YAY I got married would be a great start. Mark and I had been battling on whether we wanted to wait until March or get married earlier. We had talked about it for about a month, and I finally called my stake president. Much to my surprise he had barely sent in my sealing cancellation papers that week! This was extremely depressing because he was suppose to have sent them in two months before that!! That night Mark and I prayed about it and felt we should get married. The next day we told our parents that we were getting married that Friday. Granted, it wasn't much of a notice, but Mark's mom did such a wonderful job in putting things together. I feel so blessed to have married into such a wonderful family!! And I know I have a lot to learn from them. Thank you to my wonderful family for coming, it meant the world!! Especially Kendi, who made it a point this time to be there!!

Married life has been wonderful. I often have to stop myself and realize how great Mark is. I don't think I could have found anyone better for me or for Grant. For those that don't know, last week I received a call from my mom. She told me that there was a letter there from the first presidency. I told her that she could open it, and there it was... My sealing cancellation had been approved THREE weeks after being sent!!! I was in disbelief and sad. I love this man SO much, and the thought that we aren't for forever yet tore my heart apart. I was fearful on how Mark would react. When he got home, I couldn't help the tears from falling, and he threw his arms around me. He assured me that he didn't regret marrying me when he did. He is amazing. I don't think I have any words for him. Round two was well worth round one. Mark has been everything, and more! I still struggle with walls that I constantly put up to protect myself, but he patiently waits for me to figure things out.

I watch him with Grant, and I know that I am blessed with marrying a man who wants to be Grant's father. He does things with Grant, and understands the challenges Grant has with his age. My favorite thing is watching Grant get excited because Daddy's home. I love that Mark kisses him goodnight and tells him that he loves him. It is more than I could have ever have asked for. Mark truly is my other half, my better half. I love him more than I could have ever thought I could love someone.