Good times

Remember the days when I posted semi-weekly? I vowed that all of my children would get the same attention, at least as far as pictures and blogging are concerned, that Alana received. Hasn't worked out too well. My current goal (as of today) is to post every week. At this point I'm not concerned with content, just trying to keep track of the cute things my children do, their milestones, and the happenings of our family. So here's a little update:

Stuart is taking his final (of 4) CPA exam this week. He has had the week off work to study, although I'm sure the girls and I are such a hindrance! He can't really study at home. Who could blame him? We three girls would distract anyone! Is it my fault that I'm so needy? Or that Alana and Charlotte are irresistible? He just loves these too girls! I can't think of a sight I love more than seeing them play together! In addition, Stuart will be in town for the rest of the year, and shouldn't even travel until maybe March or April, although busy season starts in January. I'm really loving the 8-5 job he's working on right now!

My life is full, and I love it. I started singing with the ward choir in September and have felt so validated. I forgot that I know how to sing! 8 years in a place where EVERYONE sings can do that to you. Not that I need to feel special, or that I even like attention. But it's nice that a talent I spent years of my life trying to improve so that I could share the Gospel is still there. :) I'm also training for half Marathon. Have I mentioned that? Because I feel pretty awesome about it. I am strong (as if having 2 babies hasn't proved that already!?) But I love the feeling of running. I'll be honest, I've had my fair share of days when I struggled to run faster than a 12 min mile pace (picture a slow slow jog). But I'm getting there. I don't really have any goals except to run the whole time and finish. Maybe I could finish in under 2:20? We'll see!

I also took a yoga class. I loved it. You should try it. But you have to be open minded and give yourself permission to do it for yourself and your well-being. As a side note, I'm considering vegetarianism. Wait. Did I just write that? Well, I'm really just exploring all my options of how to have a healthier lifestyle, and save money. I'm not against eating animals.


Alana is the funniest little person you ever met. Every night she tells me at least one story. For example, tonight she told me about a butterfly that turned into a caterpillar, who turned BACK into a butterfly and flew through the wall and made a hole in the window. She always asks me to tell her a story, so I decided to always tell her one about Jesus or one from the Book of Mormon. I think she was mortified tonight when I told her that Laban threatened to kill Nephi and his brothers, so I left out the part about Nephi cutting off Laban's head.

Alana is a great peace maker. Er...kind of. If Stuart and I are having an intense political discussion, she tells us to be nice. Or, more specifically, she'll tell whoever she perceives as being mean to be nice to the other one. "Daddy, you be nice to my mommy." We love it! She calls Charlotte her baby and has mentioned that we're having 12 more babies. I can tell you right now that 12 is out of the question. Heavenly Father would have to send them all together for that to happen.

Alana also loves her friends. There is a little girl in our neighborhood, Claire, who is the exact same age. They play together so well, because they like the same games and they both love princesses. And for some reason, sharing isn't an issue with Claire! She also misses all her Provo friends! (I do too!)



Charlotte is our sunshine. What a happy girl! I can't tell you the difference it makes in our home for her to sleep 10-12 hours straight every night. Wow! She just got her first two top teeth this last week, and has been less fussy since. And does this girl love dogs?! Poor Lacy almost got mauled! (Lacy is my sister Whitney's darling Jack Russell Terrier.) Charlotte says "woof" and a word that almost resembles "dog". She also thinks all vehicles are called "Choo Choo" and she made up her own sign. She still loves reading books. Signing Time is another favorite. I didn't let her watch any tv before she was 1 (I know two is the AAP recommendation, but what-ev). S.T. is the only thing she'll sit through, and she's glued to the TV, imitating all the signs and animals sounds of Leah's Farm.


One of the funniest things about Charlotte is her random giggling. She wanders around our house swinging her arms around and giggling. It's too funny. I desperately need video! We are just so glad to have these 2 sweet little spirits in our family! We are so blessed!

We're saving up for a mini-van. We want to pay cash. We're very excited for the Holidays and for Stuart to be done studying for now! I'm going to practice some yoga now! Luego!