Russi

If I am ever asked if I could go anywhere in the world where would I go, my answer is always the Domincan Republic. My very first lesson as a missionary was with a dominican women by the name of Russi. I remember it was summer and very hot. Most pisos in Madrid did not have air conditioning, including Russi's. We rang the timbre and she came down. We walked to a bench outside where we would teach her a lesson on the 10 commandments. Russi was engaged to a member of the church, Salvador. She was pregnant and they both had a child from their previous marriages.  They were waiting for divorce papers in order to get married. Russi had been taught all the lessons and had a strong testimony of the gospel. All that knew her would agree that it was a testimony stronger than most. I don't know anything that was said during that lesson. I remember my companion, Hermana Robb, looking at me for me to say something and realizing the spanish I thought I knew from the missionary training center was nonexistent. I started crying- right there in the middle of the plaza, in the heat of the sun on a park bench. Hermana Robb taught the entire lesson as I sat there trying so hard to stop the tears that would not stop falling down my face. Russi said a prayer at the end of our lesson. All I understood was my name "Hermana Cresine". My companion later told me she prayed that I would be able to learn the language.  Little did I know that this woman would forever have a special place in my heart. For the next 12 weeks we visited with her on a weekly basis and for every night during that time and every night of my mission I prayed for her that her testimony would stay strong and that she would be able to overcome the challenges that were keeping her from the desires of her heart. Shortly after I left the mission her divorce papers came and she was able to get married and baptized! Her family also entered the Temple together and were sealed together for time and all eternity. How grateful I am! As much as I do not like Facebook, it has allowed me to stay in contact with her the last few years since returning home. I have loved receiving updates about her and her family. I received an email the other day from a member of the church in that area which informed me that Russi passed away. Salvador was here in the States and Russi took the two youngest with her to the Dominican Republic where she was going to have surgery on her stomach to remove a hernia. The surgery went fine and she went home. A couple days later her blood pressure rose significantly and she was not able to get the medical attention she needed. Having been in touch with several friends from Madrid the last several days it is certain that Russi has been an example to all of a faithful member of the church, a dedicated mother and wife and a loving friend. My heart hurts to think that someday when I finally make it back to Spain, because someday I will... that Russi, who was at the very top of my list of people to visit, will not be there. How grateful I am for the restored  gospel and the joy I know it has brought to her life the past several years and the the comfort I know it now gives to her family. Although it is still heartbreaking to lose someone, there is comfort in the gospel knowing that she will be reunited with her loved ones once again and that she is sealed to them for eternity. 

We are trying to enjoy summer in our home. It's hard to document the fun because we don't want to bring the camera and leave it unattended nor do we want it near the water, but here are just a few pictures of our recent outings to the pool and to Seven Peaks Water Park. 

A visit from Dad and the twins

Dad, Michael and Melissa came to visit for a few days. We picked them up from the airport Thursday night and they stayed at our place and we all headed to Paradise Friday morning. We had such a good time. We barbecued, played Rummikub and Yahtzee, played Bocce Ball, took a ride on the 4 wheelers, made a campfire and did smores both nights and just enjoyed each others company. Sage loved having a ton of space to run around and explore. She got really dirty and loved every minute of the extra attention from grandmas, grandpas and her aunt and uncle. Papa has done a lot of work and made a fun campsite down by the river. Taylor actually slept out there one night and felt like he woke up in an aviery early in the morning. We wish we could get together more often, but are grateful for the time we had and memories we made.

Today

• Sage climbed up the stairs on the playground- the big stairs that lead to the big, blue curly slide. She climbed up the stairs that led to the bridge and ran across and went through the tunnel. She ran back and forth as I tried to keep up with her down below in case she got too close to the edge. She threw a tantrum when it was time to go. 
• In the store I put a few items up in front with Sage because she likes to hold them. I made the mistake of putting the grapes up with her and she helped herself. I looked over and she had a mouthful. She threw another tantrum when I tried to take them away. 
• I was on the phone with my grandma and telling her about Sage's new potty and how we are not really potty training yet, but got the potty for her to just sit on and get used to. Sage came over and signed for help. I followed her and she lead me to the bathroom where she wanted me to open the door. She must have heard me talking about her potty and she wanted to sit on it. 

Here are some recent pictures taken from my phone. A couple fun things about Sage, some which are pictured here, include: Sage loves to ride on our backs, likes to squeeze into any tiny space she can, loves love loves to look at books (she will find a book and then go and hit the couch for us to come sit down and then reach her arms up for us to pick her up and plop herself right down on our lap), more and more we think she is going to be a lefty and she loves being outside and her new word she says all the time is "wow" and "woah". Today during our walk as we were walking past a house with a water fountain in the front she turns around and tries to stand up in the stroller, points and says, "wow!" It's the cutest thing. 

1. I love holding this little girl's hand. We of course were walking to Target. 2. All ready for be, but she insisted on the headband. Why not? 3. Early morning. I brought Sage into bed to cuddle and she climbed right on daddy's back. 4. Cheddar Bunnies for snack after nap. Check out that cheesy smile. 5. We got a tiny blow up pool for days we don't feel like going to the big pool. She was so excited. She got in with her clothes on while I was trying to fill it up. 6. Reading before bed. Sage loves books.

7. Ice- Cream. We went to This Is The Place last week. They had free admission and free ice-cream. Sage ate her entire cone of strawberry ice-cream by herself. 8. Playing in the dirt and rocks. 9. Emptied her book basket and was looking at books inside of it. Afterwards she put all her books back inside. So smart and so helpful. 10. Lunch. She had a little company. Notice the 2 babies sitting in her highchair with her. 11. People watching. 12. Tying to fit in her babies stroller. 

13. bubbles after church. 14. Every time I tried to sit and play with her she would climb on my back. She is a little monkey. She loves playing this game with dad. 15. Taylor went to empty out the vacuum and I was in the other room. This is how we found our girl. Taking a little ride. 16. Praying before snack. She is so funny. Of course it is always good to pray, but we don't usually pray for our snack. 17. Love that good morning smile. 18. Sage sits so still and lets me do fun things with her hair. She is good sport.

Today I didn't feel like doing anything or going anywhere. After Sage's nap, snack and playing with her baby doll for a bit she decided she wanted to go outside. How did I know? She pounded on the front door and then went and got her shoes and tried to put them on and then pounded on the front door some more while shouting who know what! How could I resist?  We went for a walk and then to the park. When we got home I asked if she wanted milk. She knows that means it is time for nap. Often times she will go and hide behind the curtains when she sees me getting her bottle ready. Today she stood in the kitchen with me looking up to the microwave. As soon as the time went off that was her que. She waddled into her room and went to her fan as if to tell me to turn it on. Then she walked straight over to her crib and reached her little arms up. She went straight to sleep and has been sleeping over an hour and a half. I'm ready to play now. Hopefully she wakes up soon...

Lexi Rae Photography strikes again!

Check out her site. lexiraephoto.blogspot.com . She is so talented and so fun to work with. Thanks lexi!

My little friend

My baby is growing up a little too fast for my liking. I always feel like she is older and bigger than she is until I look back at pictures and realize she was little. Even now at 15 months I have to remind myself how little she really is. Although she is my baby she feels like a little girl to me. She'll pick out a book and find a seat on my lap for me to read to her. After nap she tells me she wants a snack by signing and then proceeds to race me into the kitchen where I find her reaching up to the cabinet for her cheddar bunnies and pirates booty. Yesterday she sat in front of our closed entertainment center, pointed and started making monkey sounds for Curious George. She sure knows what she wants. She had had a runny nose the past week and she tries to wipe it with the tissue by herself. She even brought me her box of wipes so I can get her one so she could wipe her nose. She is my little friend that sometimes makes my days long and exhausting, but most the times she spoils me with hugs and kisses and teaches me to slow down and to enjoy the little things. 

Play Dates

Whenever I ask Sage if she wants to go bye bye she runs to the front door and starts banging on it. She loves to be outside and I love getting out of the house. We had a play date at the park with Caleb the other day and then went to lunch. I had a nice time visiting with Mary, Michael and Karlee and Sage was only interested in the wood chips at the park. We also went to the Hogle Zoo with our friends Jessica and Grace. Grace and Sage will be good friends as soon as Grace can run around with her. As we were walking around side by side with our strollers those two cuties decided to hold hands. Sage really liked the zoo this time around and actually enjoyed looking at the animals. We have had a fun week. 

Thirsty

Working on another movie of our Sage. For now here is a little clip from her play date with Cole last week. 

Sagey Girl

• loves to ride on our backs- especially Taylor's. That is their game. Although yesterday every time I tried to sit and play with her she would climb on mine. 
• loves to look at books. She will go to her bookshelf in her room or her basket of books in our front room and pick a book and find a seat on our laps to read to her. 
• she is becoming a good helper. She throws her diapers away and also puts her dirty clothes in the hamper. It takes a long time and a lot of direction, but she also will pick up her toys.
• She likes to get her goldfish or graham cracker from the box by herself. If she sees you take it out and hand it to her she won't take and it points to the box and whines.
• She is learning a lot more signs
• Her favorite toy is a bowl and a spoon. She likes to stir and mix things up.
• She likes to eat strawberries whole and not cut up.
• She loves playing with the wood chips at the park. Forget the playground and splash pad!
• She still makes her cute squinty face. 
• likes to jump. She gets some air!
• Can point to her nose when you ask her and poke out her eyes when you ask her where her eyes are.

I feel kind of silly posting this on the blog, but I have to remember this is my journal too. I just want to remember how far I have come. I have consistently been exercising for the last four months. Like 6 days a week, an hour a day exercising. It feels good. I feel like I have to exercise now or I just don't feel good. I have got into spin and have been spinning three days a week and doing a muscle up weight lifting class the other days. Last week Taylor needed to go into work earlier than usual so I would miss my spin class unless I wanted to go to the 5:45 am class, which I have gone to, but really don't like the instructor nor do I like waking up early. I decided to try and go for a run. Last time I ran a few months ago I had to pace myself to run a mile and I felt like I was going to die. My first attempt running outside I ran 2.41 miles without stopping and I felt good. The next day I tried to run a little further. I ran 2.5 miles. After resting on Sunday I knew I could run even further. I ran 3.14 miles on Monday without stopping and today I wanted to push even further. I don't look at the time or my distance until I get home. I have learned a lot of it really is mental. I was surprised when I ran up the stairs and looked at my phone to see I had run 3.77 miles in 44 minutes. That's an average pace of 11.46 minute mile. I know that is not good to many, but that is awesome for me. In a week I went from 2.4 miles to 3.77. I just want to remember that I can do hard things!

Rooftop Concert

It is beginning to feel like summer. Last night Jeanne babysat for us so we could go on a date. A triple date. We went with our friends the Russells and the Stewarts. It was nice to enjoy good weather, yummy smoothies, a fun atmosphere, and  good conversation with good friends.