Under Construction!

I'm in the process of getting rid of this blog entirely.  I have officially decided that I HATE BLOGGER!  Not to fret, however.  I will be posting from a different address, but still blogging.

New address is:  http://carlyjanell.wordpress.com/

Hope to see you over there soon!

"It Was Just Something That I Had to Get Through, to Get Me to You"

Had an interesting conversation with my sister today about someone who showed up at her ward for church.

I sure wasn't expecting it, but in reflecting on the conversation, I have never been more grateful to swing at and miss a curve ball thrown in to my life a few years ago.

I love my husband more than I ever knew I could love someone.  I am incredibly grateful for the man he is, and the person he's always been.  He is my everything, and literally the best decision I have ever made.  He is so many things, but most of all....he's mine.  I sometimes think about where I would be had a previous decision played out in my life the way I thought it would the first time around.

I don't like it.

Everything I am, and every good thing about me, is made better because of you.  I love you, Robbie.

Halloween 2010

What?  People don't typically blog about the previous Halloween the next May?  Whatever.  

 Expressing his disgust over being dressed in costume.  

 The Annual Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival.  Over-priced, but hey, it's entertainment.

 My little shark.  He had decided by this point that he did, in fact, like his shark costume.  

Dax wanted to immediately eat the candy he was given.  He only made it around to about 10 people before he got frustrated from fishing the pieces back out of the bag when given to him.  Maybe next year?

 The stinkin' cutest zebra you've ever seen!

 PaMa Hansen, helping pass out the candy at the trunk-or-treat (525 pieces of candy was handed out in less than 15 minutes!)

 The pumpkins

 I bought 36 lbs. of green beans that came that Saturday.  Bless the hearts of my mom and husband, and Brady and Stefanie, who helped me blanch them for freezing.  We may never run out of green beans.  Good thing they are delicious.  

True Story

Ran Dax to the bathroom because it was clear he needed to....um....use it.  Sat him on the seat and after a few grunts, we had evidence that he was successful.  His grunt face immediately turned to bright, excited eyes as he asked cheerfully, "Mom, is it BIG?"

Yes, son.  Yes, it was.  But remember, size isn't everything.

A Brief Insight into Dax's Mind

What My Kids Have Taught Me

Pfffft pfffft....is this thing still on??

Lately I have been so overwhelmed with gratitude for my healthy little munchkins I felt I needed to document a few of the things that remind me I love being a mommy before I forget.

• Moby Wraps are fantastic.  I heart babywearing.  It allows for keeping foreheads close enough for frequent kisses, and little bodies close enough for never-ending snuggles.  

• Potty training is pretty stressful, but when your little man poops in the toilet and looks up, beaming when you cheer and says, "A-gain!  P'eas?"  It's really difficult not to laugh.

• Cloth diapering is not difficult.  In fact, it's much easier than I anticipated.  In fact, I kind of hate disposables now.

• Sometimes I get really frustrated at all the dumb toys all over my house.  Then, I hear Dax's little feet slapping against the concrete floor as he screams, "Buhh Zy-year to a wess-you!" ("Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!") while making Buzz fly Lightning McQueen throughout the house.  Makes me smile every time.

• Sometimes I worry for Addie's safety when Dax over-loves her.  But knowing that my kids like each other (at least for now) is a happy thought.

• There isn't anything better than an open-mouthed toothless baby grin.  Except maybe little toddler butts in boxer briefs.  Not sure which one wins here.

• Newborn giggles make my heart melt.  

• Being 2 is about as exhausting as being a mommy.

• Laundry is the worst, but dressing my little princess in super-cute clothes is worth it.

• Ikea boxes make perfectly acceptable costumes.

• Crying babies are still cute.  Whiny ones are not.

• Nothing kills the excitement of your little one's first #2 in the potty quite like him peeing on your brand new treadmill moments later....then dancing in it.

• Even tiny little boys respond to sports references.  Dax refuses to help clean up the toys unless you ask him to slam dunk them into the toy box.  Then he's totally game.  Literally.

• My kids are the cutest things in the entire world, and I am incredibly lucky to be their mom.  I wouldn't change it for the world.