Sunday, September 28, 2014

We love being parents!

Dear Kacie,

Sometimes, I get jealous when my friends post about the exciting trips that they are going on.

I sit for a minute wishing I had gone on cool trips before I got married or before we had kids.

I wonder if I will ever go back to Hawaii. Or if I will visit Disneyland again. I imagine trips to other countries or exotic cruises to beautiful places.

And then I remember that not everyone gets to go to Hawaii at all! And that of course I will go to Disneyland because it's in my blood! And I remind myself that I never have wanted to leave the country. And that the ocean is scary and I am terrified of sharks!

I LOVE being a mom.

And not everyone gets to be a mom. Some of my friends, having those adventures, haven't been given the opportunity to be a parent yet.

I often lay in bed before I fall asleep looking through pictures of you. You bring me so much joy!

When your Aunt Angela was engaged and getting married I was sad! It felt like my family was getting smaller. I would think about me getting married and then each of my other siblings someday getting married. I would think about not seeing them everyday and how we wouldn't have vacations, snowed in to our house. No more weekend dance parties or anti-superbowl parties. (I still have never seen the Super Bowl…). No more advice ready at hand from my parents or siblings hanging out in my room. It was hard to think about all the changes that would come from growing up.

One day I realized though while we won't always be able to do those things, I wasn't losing a sister, I was gaining a brother! And although I wouldn't see them every day, I wasn't losing them.

And as I sat in our kitchen with my brother in laws family, I realized I was gaining them too!

My family wasn't getting smaller, and it wasn't getting a little bigger, It was getting a lot bigger! And someday I would get even more siblings!

Now, my sister is moving, we won't be in Utah much longer with my brother. My other brother is on a mission and my sister will only be at home for a few more short years. Life is constantly changing!

We've added you, Kacie, to the family tree and although much of the last two months has been spent by the toilet, your dad and I are SO excited to be adding another person to that family tree!

I get sad when I think of not seeing the people I love most very often. It's one of the hardest things for me to be away from my immediate family. But in April, you will get to meet your little brother or sister and I just know I am going to be emotional seeing you with them.

My heart will grow a little bit more. I will get to understand a little bit more our Heavenly Fathers love for me and each of His children.

That's the cool thing about love and hearts. There is always more room.

I used to be sad when my family changed. But now, I have found that I love getting new family members whether it be cousins, aunts, grandparents or children, it's awesome to know so many cool people.

So in April, we will welcome a new member to our family. Things will change again, time will be even more strained and sleep will be sparse. But our hearts will get bigger and our joy will continue to abound.

And as much as we would like to be on a beach in Hawaii right now, We are so blessed and excited to have you and your sibling in our life!

We love you so much Kacie!

Love,

Mom, (baby) and Dad

Thursday, September 25, 2014

September Adventures

Dear Kacie,

September has been a long month for me! but we have still had some fun.

One night we went and walked around and found a splash pad. You were absolutely enjoying it!


I was sitting in the recliner and you joined me. You're a little daredevil and were precariously climbing on the end!


One day I was changing your diaper and you kept putting this ear on your face and laughing at yourself!


You were trying to put your own shoes on one day. I think you were trying to tell me you wanted to go outside!


Sometimes life is rough!


As I've mentioned before, you climb a lot!

One night dad was trying to do HW but you just wouldn't stop climbing up to him!


Aunt Mallory stopped by for a day. You totally loved being cool with her!


The best way to watch The Prince of Egypt, naked on the table!


One day, you were bringing me your washcloths from the drawer in your room. You reached across the tble, handed them to me and went back and got more.


It was hilarious!




This picture is to capture your amazingly adorable pigtail!


At Home Depot, I let you drive the shopping cart. You don't really understand steering wheels, but you enjoyed spinning them!



I hate car seats because seriously, how uncomfortable is that!?!


One morning we were laying in bed and you took dads hat and started playing peek-a-boo with it! It was funny cause the hat is half your size!






Daddy captures this moment and it just makes me die! You are so precious and always make me sooooo happy!




You like to climb over the back of your chair. Most of the time, you make it over but occasionally you get stuck. And it's awesome!


I hadn't sent a picture of you to our families for a few days. Grandma Tracey asked for one. Unfortunately that was a bad day so this is what she got:



The next day was a little better. You and I chilled on the couch. That was the day you got graham crackers EVERY WHERE!


I already bought you a christmas dress. Because I saw it and HAD to have it!

It's just the prettiest thing ever.


You still love bath time!

And dad always makes it even more fun! (another capture by dad)


You make him so happy, especially when he walks in the door and you yell "DAAAD"

Love,
Mom and Dad

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Birthdays!

Dear Kacie,

Uncle Colin turned 20 on August 31st! It was fun to spend a bunch of time with him that weekend.

We took him to dinner at The Pie Pizzeria!

That place is the best cause you can write on the walls!



The next day he got a party package from our parents and you helped him open it.





He got some party hats, party blowers, candy necklaces, glow sticks and other awesome party signs and stuff.


He got a funny shirt that I just can't remember what it says… and some money to decorate his apartment. He shared some of his party stuff with us and even let you eat a candy necklace. It was a mess! but adorable!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLIN!!!!


Back in april, for my birthday, your dad let me redecorate the bathroom. I finally settled on a bubble theme and it only took me a long time to get it finished.




I sewed some cute ribbon on the towels! (well most of the towels, it's hard to get things done with a baby)


The hardest part of doing this was finding a shower curtain.


After weeks of searching in stores and online, I found this adorable one!


It matched perfectly and I am so happy with the final look. It is just awesome.

I hope you like it too Kacie cause it wasn't real cheap to get it completed!

We love you so much!

Summer Break

Dear Kacie,

When your dad and I got married, I started to cook dinner because, well, I had to! I was not very adventurous. We had a lot of ramen noodles, pancakes, and chicken patties with gravy. We also would just go to grandma and grandpas to eat so I didn't have to cook!

But, when we moved to Utah and I wasn't working full time, I started getting adventurous and started cooking a lot of different things. I actually started to like cooking!

And then I got pregnant with you and I was sick and exhausted and always craving things that I couldn't make! So we ate out a lot. Or we had fajitas like every night. Then you were born and I started cooking again as much as I could. Although between nursing you I didn't always have a lot of time! So I eventually made 40 crock pot meals that I was able to freeze and then just throw in the crock pot. It was awesome and incredibly convenient!

After we finished all of them I didn't want to cook anymore. I am bored with the recipes we constantly use! Well one day I made some freezer crock pot meals again. Not 40 but about 20 I think. I hope someday I can get back into my cooking mood. I'm tired of eating boring stuff!

As I was prepping the freezer meals though I cut off the tops of the bell peppers and I just think they are soooo pretty! It's cool how nature can be different shapes that are like art work!


You always curl up in a little ball when you sleep. It is just the cutest thing.


One day your little bum was just peeking out and it was just the cutest thing ever!


This particular capture is a favorite. I really don't know what was wrong but you were freaking out!

I obviously laughed and took a picture before attempting to figure out what was wrong.


You got a hold of a paper towel tube and walked around with it on your arm. you thought you were hilarious, and you were!


For dad finishing another semester, we celebrated at Kneaders with delicious french toast!


If anyone watches Psych, they frequently stop and get food. There is a whole episode dedicated to food trucks, so your dad wanted to find a food truck party.


You and I got burritos from Sweeto Burrito and they were delicious! You even loved it!


Church is fun, you love to play on the stage in the gym with dad.




Occasionally we get out on walks as a family. The weather in UT is perfect!Dad was trying to teach you to roll down the hill and you got it a little!

But I captured this perfect moment. 


You love your daddy and will do anything and everything with him. When he gets home from work, you just scream with delight!

We love you so much baby girl!

Love,

Dad and Mom