Book #2

So for February I read Ender's Game, which was a completely different novel than the Memory Keeper's Daughter. I enjoyed the faster pace and sci-fi feel. I'm a big fan of Ray Bradbury and C.S. Lewis, so this type of stuff entertains me. It was a young adult book so that always helps with the entertainment factor. I did glaze over a bit during the battle scenes and battle talk, but overall I enjoyed the read. I'm trying to mix up the genres each month, so for March I'll be reading One of Ours by Willa Cather.

Best Friends

My little sis Mercedes hung out with Maddie and I for a couple days. Maddie was in play heaven. She adores her "Aunt" Mercedes, or Cedes as she calls her, and Mercedes loves Maddie in return. They completely wore me out with trips to the park each day, library time, a run to Walmart for finger paints, dress up, making jewelery, playing frisbee and whatever else their entertainment demanded. I wish I could post pictures and video of all their activities together because I love watching them play together. I hope Maddie has a little sister someday that she loves as much as Mercedes loves her.

Casey is 26!

Happy birthday to my sweet husband Casey. This post is dedicated to your 26 years of life.

26 Reasons Why Casey Rocks

1. He can run and not be weary. For example, today we hiked South Mountain, and he went off on his own, then 20 minutes later I saw him off in the distance running back, over rocks, up hills, straight to us, then grabs Maddie and carries her all the way back to the car with no fatigue.

2. He always smells of delicious cologne (except when he's running hills on South Mountain).

3. He always is the one to pursue thoughtful conversations with me and gets me to express myself more than I normally would.

4. He is never afraid to verbally express his love to all of his family.

5. He has great ball control on the soccer field and understands the game inside and out.

6. Whenever we walk through a door he opens it for me, or, if it's a door that doesn't need to be opened, he lets me go first.

7. He has fun taste in music.

8. He is always willing to try new foods with me, and enjoys all types.

9. He is the best travel partner in the world.

10. He plays with Maddie as soon as he gets home from work.

11. He tells me I'm pretty on a regular basis.

12. He is friendly and talks with complete strangers.

13. He adds commentary to every show, commercial and movie we watch.

14. He dances in front of us...daily.

15. Every time I'm making dinner he asks, "What can I do?"

16. He is patient and kind when I'm frustrated and trying to deal with a stubborn child.

17. He enjoys board games with me.

18. He's haaaaandsome.

19. He enjoys the outdoors and going on hikes, swims, etc.

20. He's not addicted to video games.

21. He constantly gives me praise and encouragement in every thing I pursue.

22. He made me a personalized beaded dangle to hang from my rear view mirror. Seriously, how sweet is that?

23. He spends his days working at a job he doesn't love and going to school part time so he can provide for his little family.

24. He knows how to skateboard.

25. He's willing to watch Felicity with me.

26. He makes me laugh every single day.

Growing Maddie

I'm so amazed at how fast Maddie is growing up. She is so smart and remembers things so well. Last Monday we went to the park to feed the ducks with Casey's family. She couldn't get enough of the ducks and throwing bread into the water. Days later, if I would mention anything related to the day she would begin rapid fire words about the day. If I said Grandma, she would open her eyes wide and say, "Ga? (Grandma) Nas? (Nikolas) Ducks? Bread? Papa?" Maybe it's because I have no previous experience with kids, but every time she does something like this, it's so exciting and new for me.

She is learning so fast and I love teaching her new things. She loves for me to draw her shapes, she's learning her letters and colors, she's starting to try and sing-a-long with songs and she will often just say a word I never taught her. In short, I love being a parent. I love this new experience of seeing my baby develop and progress into a little person. It's so rewarding to be a mother.

1 Down, 11 To Go.

I made a goal to read a book a month this year, and, although I actually started this book a while ago, I'm gonna go ahead and count it for January. Check.

I'm going to give this book a rating of, "Eh". I didn't hate it, but I definitely didn't love it. It was very poetically written. Unfortunately, I've never been a huge poetry fan. I kept finding myself skimming the pages for some useful plot information. Also, it was a little too emotionally intense for me. I enjoy a book that makes me happy...or at least makes me smile...at least once during the book. This book provided none of the above.

Here's the basic plot. A doctor is forced to deliver his own set of twins. One of the twins has downs syndrome, so the doctor hands the baby to his nurse and tells her to take the baby to an institution of sorts. The doctor then tells his wife the girl twin died during birth. And as you can imagine, then comes the emotional drama.

As for February, I've started Ender's Game. I'll let you know how this one goes.

Just Whistle While You Work

Maddie's current movie obsession is Snow White, or White as she calls it. She is so cute when the wicked queen is creating her transformation brew. She is usually standing while watching, and she slowly walks backwards towards either Casey or me without ever taking her eyes from the screen. She creeps back until she is safely by our side.

I would like to thank Disney for encouraging my daughter to clean and eat apples, both activities have increased drastically since her receiving the movie for Christmas.

Reflections and Aspirations

Top Ten 2009 Memories
10. Utah trip: Our first family vacation, with many hours spent in the car.
9.New Pilot: We're so grateful to my mom and stepdad for the uneven trade. We love having more room and feeling so high class.
8. Quitting transcription: A valiant few months of trying to bring home some bacon for the family ended when I could no longer contain my inner beast.
7. Bootcamp: I started bootcamp in September and hope to carry on this year.
6. Soda and Felicity with Casey: I suckered Casey into watching Felicity with me. I borrowed all four seasons from a friend, and we're trying to get finished so we don't have it forever.
5. New camera: We finally saved enough to buy a quality camera. This year perhaps I'll focus on taking quality pictures.
4. Christmas: We did so much more this year as a family. Lots of baking, several trips to look at lights, movies.
3. Maddie turning 1: I've loved watching our little baby grow into a little girl. We've watched her go from immobile to crawling to walking to running all in one year. She's saying so many words and understanding so much. I can't get over how much she makes me smile and laugh everyday.
2. 2 year anniversary: I love that we're still in that honeymoon stage where we just love hanging out with each other. He's such a wonderful husband; I'm excited for all the years to come.
1. Sewing: I'm so happy I've taken up this new hobby, despite all the grief my sisters give me. I truly love it and am so excited to keep learning more and more.

As for 2010 I have a few goals on my list:
1. Pray everyday with my family and study scriptures with my husband daily. I know I need guidance and I know this is how to get that.
2. Exercise one day a week on my own.
3. Read 1 book a month (I'm very open to suggestions).
4. Learn to sew clothing for Maddie.
5. Paint one picture. It's something I haven't done in years.
6. Learn about one new thing a month.

Wish me luck!