Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 was full of food, family and fun. We wish we could have seen everyone, but time and chance happeneth to us all. We feel so blessed to love to close to Taft's grandparents and some other family. Life is busy, and can often get busier the closer we get to the end of the year, but we are so thankful for the opportunity to reflect on the birth, mission, life, death and resurrection on our Savior. Through his gospel where we find our most joy, our most comfort and our Father in Heaven's most tender mercies. We hope you have/had a wonderful holiday season, whatever you may celebrate.

Mischief

Taft is definitely working on the "terrible twos" a.k.a the experimental stage for me. I don't know if I am sold on the idea of terrible twos as much as I am the fact that kids this age are exploring and trying to push limits, to figure out what is appropriate. Here are a few candid shots of his fun. Helping himself to suckers, sharing suckers, getting into some icing and hiding because he was playing with a decoration he has been told not to play with.

SNOW

It snowed for the 2nd year in a row on Friday. Here are a few pictures of the boy and his cousin Grant.

Chaos!

Taft woke up this morning at about 3:30 a.m. with another fever. UGH!! so frustrating. Seriously we have been dealing with sickness since about the middle of October and I am at my wits end. We did finally however endure enough ear infections to finally get a referral to the ENT for tubes. Not really looking forward to the whole ear plug thing, but I will take it any day over the misery poor Taft has had to endure. Anyway, so I took him in to see the Dr. again, and when I walked in about 30 min. before the walk-in sick clinic finished there wasn't a seat available on the "sick" side, and only 1 or 2 available in the center where parents sit with their child who is usually not sick enough to warrant the risk of infection by sitting on the "sick side." So, they go to sign us in and guess what...their computers go down. I immediately felt so sorry for them (the staff and those waiting to be seen). It was however a bonus for us, because they had to manually sign us in and got us back faster, due to not knowing the order that the computer had signed people in and not knowing who was there for what. Needless to say....their CHAOS was our blessing in disguise. And, today I am thankful for a referral and an appt. that is already set up with the ENT.

My Racing Mind

Tonight I write with the intent to clear a racing mind, and the hopefully capture my thoughts and feelings, so that I may one day retrieve a file that reminds me of a wonderful lesson learned. I have been raised in the the LDS church and feel that I have had a wonderful upbringing. I have two wonderful parents who have taught me about a very precious gift that I have been blessed with that hope everyone has gotten to experience in their lifetime, the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. My husband once gave a talk in a stake conference and then a few time in sacrament meeting that reminds me often that the Atonement isn't just for sinners. Tonight I want to convey to myself in years to come and to anyone else that is reading this small history we call life, that that is oh so true. That the Atonement can indeed rid the sinner of sin, it can right a wrong, it can restore the loss of something, it can ease burdens and carry loads, it can heal an aching heart and it can indeed heal the human soul. I was reminded today through a chain of events and conversations that I am so fortunate to come from such a great family. I was reminded that I am fortunate to have something I can believe in that gives me hope and courage to change, but more importantly to let others change. There will be times in my life, I am certain, that I will wrong others and they will wrong me, but we are all apart of something wonderful called family. Family is central to the plan of our Creator, and for that reason I believe that whether wronged intentionally or not, we should try as hard as we can to forgive and love. What a wonderful time of year to be aware of that. As we approach the time of year where we celebrate that birth of a child, whom we call our Savior, I cannot think of a better time to learn to let go of things that are hurtful and burdening us and others. Unkind words, thoughts and actions along with assumptions shouldn't be apart of our lives. I am so thankful for a Grandmother who reminded once again of how blessed I am to be her granddaughter. She truly is a Latter Day Saint, who understands what Jesus said when he commanded us to forgive 70 times 70 and to do it quickly. She reminded me why I love this time of year so much. There is hope, there is love and there is joy. So, tonight I pray for anyone who reads this, that you might be reminded that people are so much more important than things, than being right and that we should care for them and their feelings as Jesus would. We should show MERCY and let God handle the JUSTICE. Tonight I am proud that I come from a family that was taught to love and show kindness no matter what. Here is to a new resolve to try to understand and utilize that precious gift that was given so lovingly, the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

Thankful

This morning I am thankful to have a husband as dedicated as Eric is to being a father. Taft had a hard time falling asleep last night, due to what I think is an ear infection that never cleared up completely with antibiotics. So, he cried a lot, but after some tylenol, some ear drops and some distraction he feel asleep. Only he woke up an 1 hour and a half later, crying again. So, After 15 min. of crying I decided to get Eric up to give him a blessing. Eric got him to finally calm down, but he wouldn't sit still enough for a blessing. So, the plan was to survive the night (if possible) and go to the dr. in the morning. Eric suggested that I go sleep and he would stay up with him until they feel asleep. Long story short, Taft fell asleep again, but woke up with fever a few hours later. But because he tossed and turned, Eric really never fell asleep for very long. About 5:40 a.m. Taft finally fell asleep on his Daddy's chest, and it kind of brought tears to my eyes. Such a sweet sight. Taft is so fortunate to have a Daddy that loves him so much and is so involved. And, Eric is so lucky that Taft loves him so much, and that he has an automatic best friend! So, I am headed out this morning in hopes that what should have been a follow up visit tomorrow to re-check his ears, won't cost me anything today.:) Wishful thinking, but I am not going to hold my breath!

Fall Pictures

Today I took Taft for a quick photo shoot around the property. Here is what we got!

Back in the Saddle Again

So, I decided that blogging about our family is my only real way of journaling these days, so I am back in the saddle again. I promise to do better at posting pictures with journaling. I am not sure if anyone has really missed it, but I think I might have.

Monkey See, Monkey Do

Taft is in the phase of growing up where he likes to mock/do everything "you" do. So, when Eric got a hair cut this morning, we gave Taft one, too. We are still trying to get him to sit still long enough to make it really even, so don't judge too much. He also want to shave this morning since Eric was. So, we threw him in the tub and lathered him up. Don't worry, though. This particular razor has and attached cover that slides down to expose the blade, and we kept the blade covered. Taft loved every second of it, and it was so funny to watch him.

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Fresh From the Garden

Taft helped Grandpa Simpson harvest his crops today. He was a big help and even got to enjoy some of the "fruits" (or vegetables)of his labor.

Taft's Very Own Ottoman

I found Taft like this after I walked away for a second to go get something. He just made himself a little more comfortable while eating his breakfast. I am not sure where he got the idea, because we definitely don't (can't) sit like that to eat our breakfast!

Can you Guess?

which pair of shoes belongs to Eric?

the Reeboks?

The Nikes

The Asics

or the Boots?

Actually all of them. Yes, Eric has finally purchased another pair of shoes besides the classic Reeboks! Way to branch out babe. I love 'em!

My 1st Sucker

I took Taft to the insurance agent's office while I was working on some things for reimbursement and since it wasn't a very well planned stop I didn't have anything for him to be occupied with. Since I was desparate and the lady offered I let him try his first sucker. It was grape and Taft was a huge fan.

First Driving Test

Turning the Key

Adjusting the Mirror

Checking behind Him

I happened to catch Taft after he crawled in from the passenger seat to the driver's seat correctly getting himself ready to drive. I couldn't believe that my camera actually was fast enough to even catch it all at the right moment.

God Blessed Texas

Exactly 1 year ago today!

This kid seriously likes blackberries!

Wouldn't say we are blessed?

There will be more to pick in the next week or so, too! Are you jealous?
Today we picked blackberries on our land and at my parent's house as one of Taft's b-day activities. It is crazy that he is already a year old today. Here is to many more b-days to celebrate!

Question?!

Why is that people ask this question when they have to know that it makes you wonder if they really like it? SO, I have been noticing more and more grey in my hair over the last 1-2 years and it has been freaking me out since I am only 27 (26 at the time I noticed the first one). So, as I started to notice more and more, I was getting tired of pulling them out with my tweezers so I decided to something about it. I got an appointment at the salon and she worked her magic. She high-lighted my hair to help camoflauge (spelling?) the grey. So, a week and a half or so after I am finally getting used to it, I am asked the question...."Did you do something different to your hair?" "Yeah, I had it high-lighted.".....SILENCE...that's right! No response. Now the girl who asked me is one of the nicest people I know....so am I to guess that either she got distracted or she just doesn't like it. What do you think? Is there any other explanation?

And more Birthday

Birthday Continued....

Taft 1st Birthday Party

Taft doesn't officially turn 1 until April 22nd, but since more family was going to be here this Easter weekend we went ahead and had the party early. Here are some pictures of the happenings.

The Cake

The decorations

Some of our Guests

Waiting for people to arrive and playing with Peanut!

Earlier in the day playing with his Daddy!