Week 4-Firsts

"First-time" adventures are so much fun!
Although I was very disappointed that Merlin Olsen Park was out of ice-skates to rent, this turned into an enjoyable alternative; and Em's first thrill.

Em was elated. She was clearly cold, but enjoying herself. She would sign "more" at the bottom of the hill; her hands barely able to touch due to her puffy, pink, marshmallow coat. The kids showed off on their new snowboards. It became clear I am a completely inexperienced novice when it comes to snowboarding. It was cute how willingly my 9-year old sister gave me pointers and offered to be by my side the whole way; endearing and possibly embarrassing ;). Bring on the sledding!

The Proposal

The Thesis Proposal that is. Glad you got your proposal turned in on time. Let's keep the ball rollin'!

not so Little W of W

Context: I was telling some people in the family that both sets of Emi's cheeks have been getting chapped due to this freezing, dry weather.

Someone: "Why are they both called 'cheeks' anyway...?"

In all seriousness, "Because they both get chapped."--Anonymous
Sound logic.

"Bet you didn't know that microwaves have 'POWERS'" --Anonymous

Week 3-Final Count Down

It's the 'Final Count Down'

Remember making countdown-chains as a kid? A colorful, fun way to lead up to any event. Although, really there must be some hidden lessons with countdown-chains for children. Such as learning time; how long a day is, so that the adult can stop listening to, "Is it my birthday yet?" (Light bulb! Maybe we should make chains by the hour on long road trips so we can veto the nagging, "Are we there yet?!") Practicing the fine-motor involved with the making of the chain itself. Or, maybe just an overall lesson of patience.

Since I am still learning some of those things (well, mostly just the art of consistent patience) I still like to make the occasional infamous count-down chain.

Em and I made this chain Couper's first day of class. Since once of us has been in school at any point in our nine year of knowing each other, it seems appropriate. We decided to do one link per week to save the Rain Forests. Deep breath...it is Couper's LAST semester of college! He will be receiving his Masters degree in May! We are beside ourselves with an array of emotions. We're in for a grueling semester; ending with a bang that's for sure! Coup has some pretty time-sucking classes, and is working on the heart of his thesis. He is also traveling nearly every week with the Women's basketball team. His constant absence is already weighing on wife and baby but we are SO very proud of him! We are grateful for his work ethic, intelligence, patience, light-heartedness, etc. and love him very much! Way to go Couper-Daddy! We're excited to see you break the links off of this chain!

~     ~     ~

I decided I'm bringing back "Little Words Of Wisdom" to the best of my ability and memory.

Since I'm doing weekly posts anyway, hopefully it will be easier to document. I'm guessing most of the Wisdom's will come from the mouths of family, but I may include some anonymous students still as well if their Words are just too funny to keep to myself.

"Caterpillars"

Little W of W

*Do you know what a catapult is? That's what we're going to make today!

"Yeah! It's like a caterpillar!" --JoJo, 5

I may be slightly mis-quoting, but this is the muffled version I caught at the other end of the phone.
What are you doing out of bed? "I was saying my prayers..." Honey, we already said prayers, go to bed. "No, I was saying my prayers again and Jesus just helped me get to my feet!" --Ryder, 4

*What do you want to name your bunny puppet?

"Uh...RIBBIT! Ya, Ribbit." --Ryland, 2 1/2 in his deep, sure voice.

*"Be careful with Lilly because she is real." -Kalia, 5 

"She is not real!!" Choruses of the other children. It's okay, I used to pretend that my dolls and stuffed animals were real when I was younger too, it makes it more fun.

Hands on hips, foot stomp, enlarged eyes, completely offended and appalled. "Um, what?! I am NOT pretending. My Lilly is really REAL, really." 

I'm not one to compete with a child's imagination. 'She's real guys, be careful with her.'

Week 2-Chariot Racing

Chariot Racing you say?

 Yes, that's no typo. Also known as "Cutter Races" and still a popular sport in a few states including Idaho. Lucky for us we live near the Idaho boarder and they have a pretty organized set up of Chariot Races just outside of Preston. The winter races run on Saturday afternoons. Gregg & Denise came to Cache Valley for the weekend so we met up with Baylee & TC and headed to the races. Almost all spectators watch the horse drawn chariot's fly by from their vehicles. I didn't think Em would get much out of it, and she was a bit antsy, but picked the horses out in the distance and even signed "horse" for the first time! She loved having the dogs' company in the car!

We also cheered on the Women Aggies at the basketball game Couper had to work. Too bad it couldn't have been a win.

Cousin Surprise

Friday morning we were excited to find four cousins on the doorstep ready to play! It was a bit unexpected but turned into a fun morning filled with balloon fights and homemade puppet shows. Puppet show skills are a little rusty, but we've got time to work on that. Made us miss our cuzzies in Australia that's for sure!

Week 1--Leafy

What does baby-girl love almost more than food?

Leafy

 Em has been snuggling with Leafy almost ever since she was sleeping in her own room, around 4-months.  Leafy became a real necessity once we dropped night-time feeds around 9-months.  Now she signs "bed" when she wants Leafy and gives it a big smile, hug, and rub to the face. She has to know exactly where it is before we leave her room. Couper and I also love Leafy and are glad it helps our baby-girl find comfort and get good rest.  And it's just adorable to watch her with it.

2014 

52 week challenge

I'm not sure what kind of adventures this year is going to bring us.
I'm honestly not sure what next week...or even tomorrow will bring.
Life as a Mother really changes your perspective on life.
I'm trying to live each day at a time and soak in the special small moments.
This isn't always my strong point because I'm a planner, doer, and always looking to the future.
I think I'm getting better.
Thanks Em.

My sister did a 52 week blog challenge a couple years ago.
It was very fun and captured big and small moments each week.
I've decided that's how I want to document our 2014.
It will be the most blogging I've ever done...ever.
I hope I don't burn out.
I hope I don't burn you out.

All-in-all I'm very excited about this challenge.
It will practically double as my family history/scrapbook for this year.
Hopefully that will take one thing off of my to-do list :).
Excited for the unknown of 2014.
Ready or not, here we come.

Cheers to a new challenge!

Some small and precious moments of Em growing up in 2013.
These pictures aren't the greatest.
And I didn't always bother to get her dressed or make her smile.
But they are special to me.
These moments happened in a flash.
Each time she grew a month a older.
And I love them.
Something that makes these pictures extra special is Leroy the Bear.
Couper gave me Leroy on our first Valentines.
That was in 2005.
Wow. Nine years ago.
If stuffed animals could speak.
I'd love to hear the stories he had to tell about the progression in mine and Coup's relationship.
And now he would have so many stories to tell about Em.
Of the small, day-to-day moments.