Judge and Grudge

These are two things that I struggle with immensely.

It seems like judging others actions or behavior is so easy to do. I read a blog recently where the blogger stated how we should set a good example for our children and not belittle or judge others, especially in front of them. I agree but we live in an age where most people think their opinion is king and where there is a channel almost completely dedicated to judging others.

With constant criticism consuming the world around us its difficult to find something positive to say to those around us and even harder to think nice things about others.

What did Thumper from 'Bambi' say: "if you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all." Thank you Mr. Disney for these wise words. Too bad such a simple thing is all to hard to do. Put if we/I do fall pray to the judge bug, hopefully we/I can remember to button our/my lip.

Now onto the grudge end. All too often, or more often then I would like I get really upset when I feel the sharp sting of another person's criticism. This upset turns into a grudge I end up holding towards this person. Its difficult for me to let go and move forward. I think, "I am only hurting myself." But am I really? Usually this deep seeded anger and resentment is contagious. I'm hoping that as I grow more personally, that someday I will become more forgiving and teach my children this trait as well.

Thank you for allowing me to vent. These things have been on my mind for a while.

I also wanted to briefly discuss a spiritual moment I had recently. I have been struggling with anger for most of my life. To be honest I am swift to anger and it was affecting many of my relationships. I have read numerous articles on the subject and tried a long list of techniques to overcome this terrible trait but nothing was really working. Then recently Marty sent a request to Salt Lake for a copy of my patriarchal blessing. I lost the original long ago. I had a not so good copy, but I rarely read it. It came in the mail and I couldn't wait to sit and read it. Then there it was. The line that would change everything. It was so simple and yet it totally changed me to the core. I know this may sound corny but I found the key that has helped me and I am so happy that God knows me. He knows who I am and he tailored this blessing to help me throughout life. I am so grateful for the answer to this and for the simplicity of it all.

I would also like to mention that Kaelie was weighed and measured today. She weighs 13 pounds 1 ounce (75%) and is 23 1/2 inches long (75%). Kae is smaller than Ize was at 3 months but just as cute.

Them together

Holding hands

Kaelie recently before a bath. See the scared look.

Kaelie at 12 weeks

Izebelle at 12 weeks

Have a great week!

It's that time of year...

Football and Taxes.

Both are good and bad in their own right. First of all, I love the Superbowl mostly for the commercials. Honestly that's the only reason most women watch it and some guys too. Marty made the mistake of watching most of the commercials online during the week, which he says he will never do again. I don't blame him. Half the excitement is seeing them during the game and talking about them during the plays, or at least it is for me.

The bad side of NFL football for me is that it coincides with so many other sports, including college sports. I end up feeling like all we watch are sports and ESPN. So its nice when the Superbowl finally comes because we can steer our focus towards college basketball until March.

Secondly, tax time has arrived. Luckily its mostly good for us because Marty doesn't declare very much, so we can receive instead of give. We look forward to the rebates so we can pay stuff off, like Kaelie.

Also so Marty can buy something like this:

Yes its a real gun. He also plans on getting a concealed weapons permit. Here's hoping he never has to use it off the range.

Then a good portion will go towards a sprinkler system, which we have to get to keep the HOA off our backs. BOO!

So onto a completely different subject. Izebelle has started mimicking. This is good and bad also. Good because its helping Ize learn how to talk, or at least say some new words. Bad because those words may not be ones we want her to learn. I'm not saying we always say bad things, but there are times when such things are said. Maybe this phase will help Marty and I be better. That way we won't have an incident where Ize walks into nursery showing off the new word she's learned. We'll keep you updated.

Izebelle's 2nd Birthday!

Yes, today is Izebelle's second birthday.

I honestly can't believe it. I remember those two long years of trying to get pregnant, until that amazing day when the test was finally positive. Excited doesn't nearly describe how I felt when I saw her sweet face for the first time two years ago.

Izebelle is a handful, but she is all ours. She looks like Marty and acts like me. We love her so much and we look forward to celebrating many, many more birthdays together.

So, on a related note. Izebelle and Marty are practically twins. I took a picture of her last night, where she looks ridiculously similar to Marty.

Here is Marty:

Here is Izebelle:

One word: AWESOME.

They're both so cute.

Happy Birthday Ize!!!

Hopefully we'll be able to have fun today despite the weather.

*Side note: We didn't go to Chuck-E-Cheeses on Monday because of the weather, but we rescheduled to go in two weeks.

Cowgirls and Cake

Recently we have developed a healthy obsession for fake mustaches. I argue that this is a common obsession that is well under control and can be given up at any time but most likely will remain intact. We mostly love to put them on Izebelle and Kaelie and see how dang cute they look. A few weeks ago, for Ize's Toy Story party, we bought her a cowboy hat. Thus the cowboy hat/ fake mustache combo was born. Pre-warning: These maybe the cutest and creepiest pictures you have ever witnessed.

I think Ize looks scarily cool, Kae just looks like Clint Eastwood or some other old man with a sweet blonde mustache. But all joking aside they look ridiculously cute with or without facial hair. Let's hope that they never have to worry about real facial hair though.

So, now onto the cake portion of the post. This past Saturday we celebrated Izebelle's 2nd birthday. It was a very small party. We invited one of Marty's co-workers, Jill, her husband, Eric, and their daughter, Taylor. Our friend, Gina, and her nephew, Gabe. Then my mom of course. Unfortunately, Jill and her family weren't able to make it because Taylor was sick. We missed them, but we still had a great time. It was actually really nice to have such and intimate setting. We had a pretty big celebration for Ize's first birthday and it felt a little out of control and I wasn't able to really visit with people very much. This was completely different. It was nice to sit and talk to my mom, then talk to Gina, and also play with Gabe and Ize while still transitioning to the next thing we had planned.

As mentioned earlier, we had a Toy Story themed party and it was awesome. We bought balloons, streamers, table decorations, and party favor all of which tried to stay with the theme. My pride and joy of the party, besides my 2 year old baby girl, was the cake. I made a pretty cool cake for Ize, if I do say so my self. I was really excited about how it looked and it also tasted great. It was a great party. We watched Toy Story 3, ate pizza, opened presents, ate cake, and called it a day.

Marty and I were both exhausted but Ize was wired. Next year we'll probably take Gina's advice and get a babysitter for after the party so we can rest. Luckily we bought enough caffeine to keep an elephant up for a few days, so all of us (except Kae) were able to make it to make it to bed time without a nap. Ok I did slept for like an hour, but I'm not counting it because I didn't sleep well the night before. So Sunday was basically a catch up on rest day, besides going to church.

Tomorrow we celebrate again by going to the place "where a kid can be a kid." That's right Chuck-E-Cheese's. I'm so excited. I can't wait to see how she does there. I hope she let's loose and we all have a really great time. I'll definitely post pictures. Then on Wednesday (her actually birthday) we'll probably watch the groundhog stuff and stay home out of the snow. What a week. We love you Izebelle. I would love to be able to full on celebrate your life everyday, but instead we'll settle for a week long birthday party and love and kisses everyday.

Here are a few birthday party pictures.

Izebelle and Gabe getting cozy together

GIRLS, GIRLS, GIRLS!!!

Its been a long time, so I decided that with all my free time (yeah right!) maybe I should post something. Even if I only write something small its better than nothing at all I guess.

So I've been feeling a little bad for Marty because he is the only XY in the family. Even the dog is a girl. Honestly if we do have more kids I would love more girls, but I think this may cause Marty to lose most if not all his hair. The screaming and shrieking is enough to send anyone running, but the sweet hugs and kisses are more than enough to bring them back. Not to mention the cute clothes and accessories. I pine for the days I can see Ize in pigtails or Kae with a braid. They'll be here soon enough. For now I try to enjoy every crazy minute with my girls. They can drive me bonkers but they are so precious and I am very blessed to have them and Marty in my life.

Here are a few pictures of my beautiful girls

So cute

Apparently its shirts optional

Part of our Christmas card

What a ham!

Such a sweet smile

Tune back in soon. They change so much, I'm sure I'll post again very soon.

Definitely next weeks because Ize turns 2!!! on Wednesday (Groundhogs Day)

Well here she is.

Hey,
If you havent already heard we are having another baby girl! We are way excited! Check out these pics if you want to.

We already love her so much, she was very active and moving around a ton during the ultra sound. Everything looks great,

See ya later!