The child...so often the teacher!

I don't know about everyone else, but motherhood has continued to teach me how much I don't know. Today, Tylie was the professor...

Two days ago when we tried to go to church, our car wouldn't start. Brent was out of town and we don't really know any of our neighbors. I didn't want to call anyone because I couldn't think of someone who would be able to tote me and two kids in car seats without totally inconveniencing them. Well, I've really been trying to listen to promptings and put my own faith to the test lately, so I decided to pray that we would be able to get the car started. I asked Tylie if she would pray with me, and told her that maybe Heavenly Father and Jesus would help us get to church that day. We prayed...twice....and still never got to church. Tylie was pretty bummed--she loves nursery more than any other place on earth. And, to be honest, I was a little frustrated about it when we came back inside. I even wallowed in self-pity for a little bit. ( I got over it....emotional woman! lol)

We haven't talked about that moment since it happened. Brent fixed the car when he got home late Sunday night, and there have been zero problems since then. Today, we had a Relief Society activity, and Tylie was so excited that we were going to church. When we got in the car she asked me, "We see if the car work or not?" I chuckled (because it's been working all week) but was also amazed at the way her brain connected the two events of going to church, and having the car break. So I start up the car and start to drive away when Tylie says, "Jesus helped us?" (Me: tears, of course)

What an incredible reminder for me that every little thing we have has been given to us by our Father in Heaven. Maybe he didn't start my car for me on Sunday morning--and maybe he had a really good reason for it that I will never know--but he has blessed me with a car, money to buy gas, a husband who knows how to fix the small car problems, and a daughter with simple, genuine faith to remind me where all the rest comes from. Thanks, Bug!

Happy Birthday Kaelisse!

Kaelisse turned ONE this weekend! Holy guacamole...I can't believe my baby is a year old already! Here are some pictures that show how we celebrated the occasion.

Balloons, of course, are a must for my kids. I think Tylie and Kaelisse were more excited about them (for days) than any of the other festivities.

It's a little bit hard to see what's going on here, but this is Kaelisse talking on the phone. That's right, she puts the phone up to her ear, traps it with her shoulder (like all of us adults when we're trying to multitask), and walks around like that. So observant!

I decided to try to make a zebra cake, and was really happy with the results. How's that for making it up as you go along, and freehanding?!

Singing and blowing out a candle.
Her first experience with the strange texture of frosting...
...which she really did not care for!
Getting a little frosting on herself.
The finished product.
Now, we had done this late at night because of our schedules this week. She was tired, cranky, and not hungry. Plus, we forgot the part that Tylie was most excited about--the party hats! (And, mama didn't get the cake-and-frosting-covered-year pictures she wanted). So, we took it for a second round the next morning.

Kaelisse obviously LOVES birthday hats. :)
The rest of us playing along.


That's right, I knew she would like chocolate cake under better circumstances! (No frosting)

Opening presents: thanks everyone!!

Grandma & Grandpa, Thanks for also making big sister feel special this day! You actually nailed it, and made her the happiest girl on the planet! She hasn't put it down.

I love the wonder you can see in her eyes right here!

So, at one year old, Kaelisse is walking like a pro and even occasionally playing with the idea of running. She loves to climb up on the couch, LuvSac, bed, us, etc. She says some words, including her own version of mom, dad, dog, and "go get it." She loves bananas, applesauce on-the-go pouches, cheese, green beans, and most things edible. She has 5 teeth. She loves to throw and chase after balls. She is an entertainer who purposefully does things to get your attention and make you smile or laugh. She is tender-hearted and has an even temperament most of the time. She LOVES playing with her big sister, and they make each other laugh more than I ever can. She brings us so much joy!

Happy Birthday, baby girl! We love you!

Talking baby

Maybe it's because Kaelisse spends most days at a babysitter's house where the new puppy is learning how to play fetch....maybe it's because she has an older sister who likes to torture her a tad by stealing toys and throwing them a few feet away (which I'm sure was also learned from the puppy).....whatever the reason, when Kaelisse recently started talking with real understandable words, she didn't use any of the common beginner words like mama, dada, bottle, banana, or anything else you might expect. In fact, she chose to go with a 3-word phrase instead. Any guesses? As a hint, listen to what she says around the 15-second mark...

Kaelisse at 10 Months

Okay, these are a little late, but definitely worth sharing. I was blessed enough to find the camera that I thought was gone forever, and these pictures were on it. Yay for little miracles!

These pictures are a combo of Kae being 10 months old, the UTA baseball season beginning (and thus our beginning of hours spent at the stadium), and a humorous trip to the grocery store.