California

Harper and I went on a whirlwind of a trip to California this past weekend or as my dad says, we were on a "world tour".  It sure felt like it... My good friend Alicia who I grew up with flew me out for the weekend in order to be able to be there for her mom going to the temple. Alicia and I went to CCD (Catholic Classes) together, went to Catholic Camp and made our Confirmations together our Sophomore year of high school. My senior year when I began talking to the missionaries and learning about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Alicia was a little upset with me, to say the least. Although she was my friend that was the most upset with my decision to be baptized and felt that I was a "trader", she was my only friend who came and supported me. She spoke and met with the missionaries at my baptism for a little bit before moving away to school where she then found the missionaries there and learned more about the church for herself and decided to be baptized herself. I drove up to Northern California for that day and boy was it a happy day. Two of her brothers followed her lead and joined the Church as well. Before my mission I went out with the sister missionaries and would sit in the lessons with her mom. While I was gone on my mission and before Alicia decided to serve a mission as well, her mom was baptized. Alicia has been such a strong example to her family. Her brother Nami is currently awaiting his mission call. It was such an honor to be able to be there as her mom went through the Newport Beach Temple. My dad, Michael and Melissa came to pick us up from the airport and he of course had to stop by several places to show off Harper. We also went to lunch at TGIFs. The rest of the day was spent hanging out with Alicia and her mom. Donny & Donna watched Harper for me while we were at the temple, so I was able to visit with them a little before and after. Sunday we visited with Alicia's dad and grandparents which have always been like family to me. I then met up with my friend Jessica and visited with her and got to meet her sweet baby Ava. Harper and I then went to visit with my cousin Sabina and her family. Aunt Silvia made us a yummy lunch and we visited. I was so happy to meet Baby Marley! We then went and visited with Miriam and saw Michael & Melissa again. The rest of Sunday was spent with Alicia and then we left bright and early Monday morning. Harper was an angel baby on the way there and the way home. She slept the whole time. On the way home however, she had a blow out right before we started descending so I was frantically trying to bath/change her in the airplane bathroom. It was everywhere including my shirt, which I couldn't do anything about... I just used Harper as my blanket and couldn't wait to land. Luckily I didn't get sick landing on the way home like I did on the way out. On the way there I luckily sat by the sweetest lady, who could see I was feeling sick and was my lifesaver and held her as I threw up during the entire time we were descending and landing. It was a fast, fun-filled trip and I am glad I was able to be at the temple and see so many people. We are planning a family trip for August and are already counting down the days! 

Twenty-Seven

Twenty- Seven! Kinda crazy! Taylor and our girls took me out to breakfast on Saturday and Lorrie was so sweet to offer to watch them while he and I went to a movie. We saw Safe Haven, which we both really enjoyed. On Sunday grandma and papa came down from Paradise and brought dinner/cake for us. For the record I was in a really bad mood. I guess I am becoming a grump in my "old age." I kind of spoiled my own birthday by being really upset that I hadn't planned anything special for St. Patricks Day for Sage and being grumpy just because I could be. I really have so much to be grateful for and am  pretty lucky. At 27 years old I have served a mission that has shaped my life in so many ways, graduated with a 4 year college degree, married my best friend and have 2 beautiful girls! Life really is good! I was teasing Taylor and may actually believed it in the moment, but have you ever heard that your year is as good as your birthday? Well, in my own self pity I told him that my birthday was horrible and so my year would be too... As you can tell I was a little irrational! Despite my bad attitude that made my birthday so "horrible" I know it's going to be a good year!

Being a mom

Being a mom means:

• getting a few less marshmallows in your lucky charms
• you rarely have an organized tupperware drawer
• forgetting what a long hot shower feels like since you quickly try and shower before your husband goes to work because who wants to use precious nap time to shower? or take a lukewarm shower with a baby playing at your feet...
• staying awake worrying about anything and everything while you "research" and read medical forums and other mom's blogs to learn of their experiences and then the morning can't come fast enough to call the doctor
• sometimes forgetting you have a name besides mommy because that is what you hear literally hundreds of time a day
• sacrificing much  needed new pants for a sixth coat for your girl that she "needs"... it's such a good deal and she doesn't have one in that color...
• looking like a fool to the people in the car next to you as you sing, dance and make funny faces to keep your baby happy and/or awake
• having your arm fall asleep as you reach backwards to hold your baby's hand in the backseat of the car
• having someone watch your every move and copy your every move- makes me want to be better
• loving someone more than ever thought possible
• feeling so very loved

I have only a couple days left of being a mama of one and wanted to record just a couple thoughts that I have. I love being a mama or "mommy" as Sage now calls me. I love being Sage's mommy and I know I am going to love being Harper's mommy too. I really feel so blessed. Being a parent is the most rewarding and best jobs in the world. It is difficult and frustrating at times. I have been frustrated to tears at times, but then I hear this little voice ask, "k? k? k? (am i okay?) mama?" and come wipe my tears... How could I not be okay? Sage is my sweetheart and is so patient with me. She is going to be the best big sister. Harper is pretty lucky, but I know Sage will feel pretty lucky to have Harper too! 

twenty-six

Twenty five was a good year for me, but I have a feeling 26 is going to be even better! Taylor and I celebrated my birthday by going to Tucanos for lunch on Friday. We were both too full for dinner but snacked on pita chips on the blow up mattress we set up in the front room to watch the movie we red boxed. Saturday morning I came home from the gym to green waffles Taylor made. Taylor wouldn't let me clean a thing. He got everything all cleaned up since he knows I don't like to come home to a mess after being away. We spent the weekend in Paradise. Grandma made the traditional St.Patrick's day dinner of  yummy corn beef & cabbage and yummy cake. We sang twice. Once for me and once for Taylor since is birthday is next Saturday. Tony and Jeanne joined us too. I know I have said this before, but it is so nice to have them both up there in Paradise. As always it was a weekend of lots of eating and resting. We always eat way too much when we are there and to make it even worse Taylor and I picked up a banana cream pie from Maddox and Jeanne also brought Udderly Peanutbutterly Ice-cream which I can't help but eat a little too much of.  Grandma and Taylor dressed Sage up for my day. They were going to bring her out with the cake, but she was kind of a little monster and wasn't going to make it that late. I am grateful for such a great husband, daughter and wonderful family. 

Fell asleep drinking her green milk on the way to Paradise.