We're Home

I hate leaving my family (although my dad always said, "we don't HATE anything!") and I loathe that inescapably long drive back to California and I ache at the intensified loneliness I feel for the weeks right after a long trip with those I love. And if I keep thinking about all this I might just start crying....

But what I do love about coming back home to California is this:



Our backyard...



And the way it makes our little foursome feel like a family



Playing, laughing, running in the sand (not the snow...)

I love Leah's squeals as she runs towards the waves. I love watching the delight in her dad's face as he chases, and races, and twirls her around. And I love feeling of being surrounded by the warmth of knowing that what we are building here in the sand is going to last forever. Because far away from those I love, in a place where the weather is ALWAYS nice, we are building our heaven, our future, our forever.

Why I loved Christmas this Year:

Because I get to be the mom of these two little miracles



How could you not be happy looking at this little face?



Having a baby at Christmas makes the celebration of the
birth of the Savior in Bethlehem much more special



Two absolute angels



A Christmas morning moment I will remember for a long long time



Tinkerbell!



Christmas Eve excitement!



"I just eat it mom, ok?!"

What I Wish I Would Have Known...

In just a few short weeks, my amazingly talented, artistic, charming, hilarious, and brave little sister is having a baby.

What could I possibly tell her to prepare her for the greatest adventure of her life?

I have a little collection of books that seemed to come to me at just the right time with just what I needed. This little library of mine is so much more than just good books, it is sanity.

So to my sister Lisa, and any one else who may be grasping for straws or pulling out your hair, here are my favorite paper friends....the last one is my current FAVORITE: (Each have been linked to the amazon.com page where you can buy them...some are pretty cheap too!)




This is the one for the hospital when you are trying to figure out the whole breastfeeding weirdness. I know, it's supposed to just be natural and wonderful, but honestly sometimes I felt like I needed 10 arms to make it work. This is great for helping you know what to eat too to avoid any crazy reactions from your baby. (But beware, it can be a little over the top about some topics!)



This one is miraculous!! It's not the book but the DVD. Read the book...not helpful. Watched the DVD....sanity saving! There is no other way to describe it. Rent it from the library if they have it, you only need to watch it once.



This one I would call my baby bible. It guides you through all the different stages of sleep needs your baby will go through. And when your baby is sleeping well, you are sleeping well, everyone is happy.




This is the book I read when the girls are about 4-5 months and it is time for everyone to start sleeping through the night. I just let them cry-it-out... painful, but worth it for baby and mommy.



Brilliant book recommended by my wonderful dancing friend Natalia Valerdi. Fantastic for curbing the whinny, have-to-be-held, demanding attitude that starts to develop around 5 1/2 months. LOVE this book - but you have to start early with it.




Last but NOT least... This book is truly magic. It is turning my terrible two year old into a civilized easy-to-live-with little girl. It is one we will use and reuse for years!! (ages 2-12). It's easy to do and totally fits my parenting style. Just be consistent and it will work wonders.

Loving the snow!!

One of the many reasons I LOVE coming home is because you just can't beat the pure childhood joy of playing in the snow. We've been sledding, snowmobiling, skiing, and today the schedule is: making snowmen, more sledding, and skiing in Jackson Hole (for Scott). Loving the snow!