Thankful

I will do a post about our eventful Thanksgiving when I have more time to download and edit pictures, but I just wanted to drop a note of gratitude on the blog.

I seriously can't get over how blessed I am.

First, there's Paul: A hardworking man who provides for his family and doesn't complain about it. I cannot understand how he does it all. Full time school, full time work, a demanding church calling... And yet he still finds time to spend with us. He is so patient and kind to me. I feel like I've been in and out of crazy since Abby got here and no matter what, he's always there cheering me on and willing me to do better.

He is so awesome with Abby. If you have seen the way they look at each other you know what I mean. She a.d.o.r.e.s. him so much. Every time we hear his key in the front door when he gets home from school at night I say "Who's at the door?" and she turns her head so she can see around the corner. When she finally sees him she lights up brighter than anything I've ever seen. He's got the magic touch with her.

Second there's Abby: She is learning so fast and trying so many fun new things it's hard to keep up with her. I frequently used to say " Oh no, she's not ready for that" because I just can't believe that she could possibly grow so fast. But alas, she can do so much more I ever would expect her to. Abby's toothie grin is the cutest thing I've ever seen. Even if she's in trouble, she flashes that smile and it's hard to remember what I was upset at her about.

This past week Abby has been sick and she's been so snuggly. She didn't ever used to be snuggly, but recently she's gotten to where she will fall asleep on my shoulder again, or even just crawl to me for cuddles. I love it.

Third theres my family: I really wish I would have appreciated them as much as I do, my whole life. I wish it didn't take moving out and starting my own family to know how great it was growing up with such awesome people. They always have my back no matter what. Each one of them are so talented and they use their talents to make me a better person. I love that we can be so immature and inappropriate most of the time but still have time to show each other that we care and love each other.

Fourth there's my In-Laws: I love them dearly. They support me just as much as my own family. I am seriously blessed with some awesome in-laws. My SIL's are great and we have so much fun together. My BIL's are all super fun and keep me laughing constantly. My MIL and FIL love me as if I was one of their own. I feel so loved when I'm around them. I really am blessed to have married into such a great family!

Last, but most importantly, the Gospel: I don't want to know where I'd be without it. I love my Heavenly Father so much for all that he has blessed me with. I know that he sent me here to grow and find myself while I strengthen my testimony of this Gospel. I know, without a doubt, that I will live with Him and my family for eternity. For this knowledge I am eternally Thankful.

9 Months in- 9 Months Out!

Abby's already 9 months old! Here are some fun things about her:

• She didn't sleep through the night during her 8th month (Ok, so that's not the best "fun thing" to start off with
• She likes to take off her socks, stick them in her mouth and crawl with them
• When shes excited, she scrunches her nose and breathes through it to make funny noises
• She would let go of things while she was standing to see how long she could stand without falling on her bum
• The magical song that makes her stop crying is "Gypsy" by Shakira. 99% of the time I turn it on she stops crying and starts with the nose scrunching. (Paul doesn't believe in the power of the song. He will soon understand, though.)
• Abby loves her Daddy. If I put her in bed before he got home from school, she would wake up right around the time he got home and cry till he went in to pat her back or rock her to sleep.
• She makes really funny faces.
• She got one top and one bottom tooth. Almost a third, but that'll have to wait till her 10 month post.
• She LOVES Baby Einstein.

Abby is such a joy to us. Each stage she gets to is my new favorite. I love to watch her learn and grow. She's working so hard to walk and took a few steps all on her own. We just love her so much and can't wait to see what comes of this month!

Watching B.E. over and over. Don't judge me. I need a little quiet time now and then.

Confessions of an Unbalanced Women

I stole this idea from a friend of mine who I used to VT in 6th ward and then she was lame and moved away.. Ahem. Anyway.

I think this is a fun way for people to get to know me. And guess what, if you don't want to get to know me, stop reading my blog... freak.

:)

Confessions:

1) I love Paul. Really, I do. It really doesn't matter where we are or what we are doing, we have fun and we laugh. A lot. Probably more than we should because sometimes people think it's inappropriate to do so. (i.e. church) (ok it is probably not good to laugh as much as we do at church) (stop judging me)

2) I love to cook. I could cook all. day. long. The dumb part is cleaning up.

3)I love and appreciate my family (including in-laws) more now than I ever have. It's really sad that it took me getting married, moving out, and having a baby to know how truly blessed I am to have such wonderful people.

4) I miss the simplicity of life before marriage sometimes. Usually on bad days. I need to get over it, because I'm never going back. Memories flooded my mind while we were moving again and going through old things. See, I can say that I miss life before marriage because Paul was there with me then, too :)

5) I like to drive. A lot of times I drive in silence to wind down or just think. But I don't do it on purpose. I get to places and I realize that my radio hasn't been on, again.

6) When Abby does sleep through the night, I worry a lot about her breathing. I don't think that will ever stop.

7) I love every food that's bad for me. I know in moderation, they aren't so bad... but what is moderation, really? My "Fun Size" is a completely different size than advertised. Foods I love are: bread, candy, pasta, dessert, root beer, bread, candy, pasta, dessert, dessert, dessert... I should probably stop there.

8) A long with #7, I hate how much I weigh right now. I HATE it. But I have zero motivation to change it. I start working out and dieting then I get off one day and before I know it a month has passed and then I'm crying about my weight again.

9) I am baby hungry... again. : /

10) Laundry is at the top of my "Chores I hate" list.

Peisner Johnson Fun Fest!

This past weekend Paul had a work party at the ranch. Peisner, Johnson and Co. really knows how to throw a party! It was at Andy's ranch (Paul's boss and uncle) in Milford, Tx (where Paul used to live and his parents still are). It's about an hour south on 35, North of Waco. It's always a good time when we go to the ranch. We've made some wonderful memories there, and this past one is right on up there with my favorite times at the ranch!

Usually there is a "Spring Fling" where we go down south and have a party, but I guess time got away from the firm and they decided to have this Fall Fest. Instead of the Spring Fling t-shirts, we all got Fall Fest Hoodies. It was carnival themed with lots of games, food, and fun!

These are the hoodies we got with the PJCO logo on them. They even found one for Abby. Its a little big on her, but she was sportin that hoodie none the less.

Since it was Carnival themed, we had lots of games to go play. If you did well, you got a few "PJCo Bucks" and if you didn't do well, then you got one for participating. The more bucks you got the better because at the end of the games...
You got to use your bucks to buy all these sweet items or you could participate in the auction at the end that had some awesome items (movie tickets, gift cards, etc)

Some of the games were:Ring toss, field goal kick, football toss, knock the Gatorade drinks down with the baseball, and a few more.
They had a pop corn machine.
And it wouldn't be a ranch party without the famous hay ride!
There was a bounce house that Abby wasn't too sure about.
Cotton Candy- I'm not sure why, but cotton candy is one of the coolest things ever. I just love it!
These you were able to buy with the PJco bucks. And guess what? I made them all! It was super fun to make them, too. There were pumpkins and scarecrows and a few that I made last minute with grass and candy pumpkins. I loved making them!
Abby was such a sport there. Towards the end she passed out on Paul's chest, but for most of the party, she was awake and so excited to see everything!

We had so much fun! It was a little bit of a drive down there, especially since we went back on Sunday to Paul's parents house who live right down the road from the house for a family dinner, but it was SO worth it.

We are SO grateful that Paul works at the PJCO Firm. Not only is it sustaining our family, it's giving him great work experience for when he graduates from UTA. He's learning things there that will help him for the rest of his career. The people that work there are so great and friendly- a lot of them are people that we've known since we were pre-teen. They are all great examples. And a major plus side- They throw some awesome parties and treat their employees great!

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P.S. You see that super cute hat Abby's wearing? That's from her aunt Liz for Christmas. Liz had to give it to her early because Abby's head is getting too big :) And I'm so glad because it was perfect for the chilly day! Thanks so much, Liz!

The beginning of Eternity

Three years ago today it was a Sunday like any other Sunday. Paul drove from Milford to Midothian to pick me up for church. I happened to have on my least favorite outfit and of course Paul looked hot in his slacks and long shirt (I love long white shirts for church.) He asked me to bring my patriarchal blessing with me to church... Kind of odd, but I grabbed it and went to his car.

We headed to church, held hands all through Sacrament meeting and Sunday School, then met back up after the last hour of church. Then we jumped in Paul's car and headed home. We passed the exit to my house and went to the park instead.

This isn't just any park, it's a park where we had many very serious conversations concerning "us". So we pull up to the park and he tells gets my patriarchal blessing and his out of his trunk and we head to the park bench to chat.

All the sudden he's telling me all these sweet things and really they are all just a blur, but I remember thinking "This is it!" Paul got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. This was kind of a surprise to be because a few weeks before we were driving and the topic of marriage came up. Of course we knew we were going to get married, but it seemed too fast so Paul jokingly said "Maybe in about 3 years" and said he was going to go back to BYUI. I then told him I wouldn't wait around here for him if he went back there and I definitely wasn't going with him there! And then I was ticked at him for a couple days... :)

We then went to my moms house and shared the very exciting news with them (even though they already knew!) And Chelsea started this blog for me to document the fun engagement times.

The proposal wasn't anything huge, and I don't mind one bit. It was nothing extravagant, but we aren't extravagant people. It was simple and sweet and I'll remember it forever. The park is very close to my mom's house, so every time I got down to visit and pass by that park I think of that sweet, sweet memory when I knew I'd spend the rest of eternity with the man I've cried with, laughed with, and had so many sweet times with.

Halloween

Abby's First Halloween! I decided to dress Abby up as a Lady Bug. She was the cutest little bug you'd ever see, too! We headed out to the ward Trunk or Treat on Friday night before Halloween to hand out candy. It was a lot of fun getting to see all our friends with their kids all dressed up (although we only took 2 pictures of Abby... oops). Since Halloween was on a Sunday this year, we decided to go to my mom's house to have a Halloween Hunt with all Abby's cousins. Beth and I hid mini trick or treat buckets in the yard, then all the kids went and found them. It turned out to be a lot of fun, with lots of pictures!

Hope you all had a very Happy Halloween!!

Moving the Nanny

(oh dang small pictures. click to enlarge? ha)

So we finally had the highly anticipated moving day! It turned out to go pretty smoothly (I was kind of nervous about it). Pretty much everything was packed and ready to me moved when the "help" arrived. We had all family and one friend help out so it went pretty fast! The hardest part is trying to get unpacked. I'm so indecisive and finally get things put away only to change my mind and decide thats not really the best spot for it. Ugh.

We moved last Friday and to date I've put away and organized (&reorganized) the kitchen, bathroom, half of our room and half of Abby's room. So far so good. It looks like the rest of it will have to wait till next week though. The rest of my week is pretty busy!

Last week I also started working as a nanny again! There are two little girls one is 2 and one is 7 months old. They are SUPER easy. I wouldn't have tried this two months ago, but Abby is finally to the age where she can play and entertain herself pretty well and if she gets hungry the same time as the other two kids, I can give her cheerios until the other two are fed and happy. It's pretty sweet and it will be nice to have a little extra cash on hand. Plus it's only on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a short time. So all in all it's pretty great!

Until next time...

Teach Me

Abby loves to play on Paul's phone. Well not just his phone, but anything electronic that lights up! One night while we were getting ready to move Abby crawled over and started pushing on his phone while he was playing "Angry Birds" (the most addicting app you can get on iPhone/Pod). I thought it was pretty cute.