Monkeying Around

Our friend took this picture for us our day at Monkey Joe's celebrating Gianna's birthday. Let's just say Eric and I got our workouts by taking her down the slides. We had so much fun! I can't believe our girls are getting so big. This is a very fun time of life. I love it so much.
Seriously, there was a time in my life that I didn't want to be a mom and thought I would make an awful one. I'm not saying I'm a great one, but I do enjoy it and I do know it is the most important job I've ever had. I love these girls!! I also love their Daddy because he makes memories like this possible. Plus, he's a big teddy bear himself and is the greatest dad!
As I look at the year 2010, it's been probably the best. We've had a lot of fun and enjoyed lots of different things, even if it means staying at home. We love our home and the family and friends we've been blessed with.
May your New Year be as wonderful and possibly better than 2010 has been for us!

Dress for Success

Glamorous. Yes, that's a nice, nice compliment.
This week we had our annual Christmas party for our local branch of the Relief Society, an all women's service group organized through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Two of the more "mature" sisters gave me the greatest compliment by telling me that from head to toe I was "glamorous". WOW! Really?
My discovery? It's all in the shoes. Eric got me this snazzy pair of black and cream shoes last year and every time I wear them, I get beaucoup de compliments. They are by far the most expensive item in my wardrobe. Eric paid $28 (that included shipping) for them and they've definitely been a good investment.
Of course, I also have to thank my great find of $4 dark wash trouser jeans, too. They make everything look more fancy. I love telling people how much I paid for them because everyone seems to nearly fall over with the revelation.
Then, again, they didn't see me when I showed up to choir practice today in my PJ's with a stuffy/runny nose. That probably wouldn't quite qualify as "glamorous".

I Love My Husband

Just wanted to say that. I really do love my husband and I really do think he is the most amazing man in the world. I am such a lucky girl to be his wife.

Turn the Lights Off

I learned a valuable lesson today. If you leave the dome light on in the car overnight, don't expect it to start the next morning. But, I will be grateful for the 18 degree weather that frosted over my car during the night, too. Because I thought to go start the car early to warm it up and defrost it, I realized in nearly enough time that it wasn't going to start and that I would either have to make Emily skip school or ride her to school on the bike and trailer.
Bike and trailer it was! I put the girls in and then piled a king-sized comforter around them, snapped the cover over and away we went! I haven't found my gloves and stocking cap yet, so it was a bit chilly on my hands (thankfully I have luxuriously thick hair that kept my ears and head warm). By the time we made it to school, my hands were frozen, my legs were completely wobbly and I thought I was going to pass out upon entering the heated building. But, we were only a minute late. Sure, it's her first tardy, but after accomplishing the frozen feat, I was not upset.
The ride back home was a bit easier with the lighter load, although my hands were definitely frozen. I had to laugh at the gentleman who made a face and commented that he hoped it was warm in the trailer. He must have thought I was crazy and actually chose to do this "for fun" instead of the necessity is was. Thankfully, Eric got off early (he has finals today) so I didn't have to do a repeat this afternoon, although it was much warmer than the 18 degrees this morning.
All in all, I now know that I am at least related to She-Rah because a normal Liz wouldn't have been able to accomplish that. She would have frozen before the first corner.

Non-Idle Hands

It has been a quick month. All the sudden we are into December and life is not slowing down. We are having fun and enjoying life but have somehow become incredibly busy people.
In my "down" time, I have been able to do a few photo shoots and sew a few things, and of course, read several books for my book club.

I got together with a friend and taught her how to make simple girl's skirts and made one for Emily who is too long and lean to be modest in "store-bought" skirts and dresses. I got together with another friend and we made bags, although I don't have a picture of them yet. I got together with a couple other friends (yes, this is my social life: an impromptu sewing club!) and we made aprons. One of my friends is very tall and expecting a baby, so we used our noggins and extended the pattern where it was needed so she could cook for all of her family for Thanksgiving. And, finally, I whipped together a blessing dress for another friend who is expecting a little arrival next month. I have to say that I am most proud of the blessing dress AND it was the most expensive project I've ever made. I also learned a lot about material and that I probably shouldn't expect to make such a "detailed" type of garment in one day. I started cutting/sewing around 4pm and didn't finish until midnight. There are still a few little embellishments I want to make, but it will work as is if need be. And, I am becoming more confident in my gathering abilities. Not too shabby for a girl who has mostly taught herself.

Feeling Sad

Yes. This is my own pity party. I really want to be happy for my friends and, truth be told, if I were in their shoes, I'd probably go, too. But, I'm not in their shoes. We'll be staying here while some of the greatest people we know leave for greener pastures.
I'm really feeling sad about it and felt like such a baby when I was given the news because I was fighting the tears from being obvious in my voice. We've really grown very close to a couple here in our ward and now they will be leaving for BYU for the Winter Semester.
I just want them to know that they are amazing people and they will go far in this world. Great people who we will miss very much but don't begrudge their opportunity...much. =)
Best wishes to them and don't mind me too much as I drop a tear or two out of selfishness.

Being Teachable

I am so grateful to be a Nursery Teacher. In the church I attend, we are served through a lay ministry, meaning, no one earns a paycheck for their service in the church. We all have different opportunities to serve and change callings (or "positions") fairly regularly. For the past 15 months I have been the Nursery Leader. Instead of attending classes and being taught, I spend the two classroom hours tending to the children ages 18 months to 3 years. I love it and it might be the easiest position I have held in the church as an adult, but sometimes I miss being taught myself. Our schedule goes from receiving the children to free play time, to a lesson, to music time, to a snack, to coloring, to blowing bubbles, to reading stories to closing activity. It is my duty to teach these children in their youth about the basic principles and concepts of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Ultimately, it is my duty to open the opportunity for these children to feel and start recognizing the Holy Spirit. I honestly can't say that I perform this duty very well. I'm trying and I'm learning. And, I am taught.
Today we had a visiting child whom I will refer to as "Boy". His family lived here several years ago and they were back for a brief visit today.
Boy was my teacher today. I had prepared a lesson about The Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I thought I knew how the lesson would go and had anticipated certain responses (or, non-responses as the case may be...). We had our song and prayer and then I began with an open question about favorite bedtime stories. Boy raised his hand and then related what his favorite story is. It brought tears to my eyes to listen to this beautiful son of Our Heavenly Father tell me, in his own words, the story of Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection. The Spirit was so powerful in the room. Because Boy has been taught the gospel in his own home, he was able to share and bring the power of the Holy Ghost, that of testifying of truth, into our classroom at church. Because of his sweet and pure testimony, my lesson was much more powerful and I again was reminded that Christ has restored His church in full power of the priesthood to the earth in these latter days. I felt the power and love of our Heavenly Father from Boy's testimony as well as the words I spoke and testified to in our lesson today. I am so grateful to be taught and pray to be more teachable in the future so that I will be taught more from On High as I was today.
I thank Boy and his precious family for being obedient to God's plan and teaching him the gospel so that he could share that gift with all of us today.