A shout out to all my Estate Friends

Well it is that time again where I see moving boxes. It seems like every time I began packing boxes I begin an emotional rollercoaster. One day I am so ready to go and the next I think I am not ready yet. Moving has always been a hard thing for me. It seems like we are so young and this is already our 3rd move. The part that I think is unfair is that you have to leave friends that mean a lot to you. It seems like we always live somewhere long enough to become part of a ward (church) and time enough to become close to friends and then it is another phase in our lives and we have to move on. Even though we haven’t been in Kansas but almost 4 years we have made so many memories and developed a strong relationship I would never trade for anything. What I notice most about myself is I found a firm testimony of the gospel here. Living in Idaho it is easy to just lean on another’s testimony but moving here where you stand alone a lot it has helped me know that I KNOW this church is true. I KNOW my Savior Jesus Christ lives and loves us. HE knows us all individually and knows our needs. I KNOW that He is there for us. I see it every day in His tender mercies. Life can be a rollercoaster of trials and at times we may feel deserted and feel that He is forgetting us but if we will stay close to Him and listen to the whisperings of the Spirit we will realize that through those hard trials we come out stronger. Days I often wonder how others get through these perilous times without the wonderful knowledge we have. The other thing that is near and dear to my heart that happened here in Kansas is I became a MOTHER. One of the greatest blessings in my life. Also the hardest thing I have ever done. Each day I rely on my Heavenly Father to know how to best raise these special Spirits He has blessed Jaman and I to raise. As you can tell I am on a rollercoaster. The main reason for this post was for all my fellow friends here at Overland Park Estates. Each and everyone have touched my life for good and even though we are graduating and moving on I will take a special piece of all of them. I will take their wonderful examples. So here are just a few ways they have all been such wonderful examples and touched my life:
Andrea: Wow how do I begin. I will just say I don’t know how you do all you do in a day. You are amazing to me. You make me want to be a better person each day. I am so thankful for your listening ear.

Roxanne: You are such an example to me of a wonderful mother. You are so orderly and such a sweet person. You have taught me to always put family first.

Carrie: You are always so sweet and always thinking of others. I will never forget the night you and Heather were an answer to my prayers and I was able to have a break down. That night I just thought wow talk about a person so ready to hear whisperings of the Spirit.

Becky: You are such a sweetheart. You are always thinking of others before yourself.

Tara: I love how you are so down to earth. You are always full of compliments for everyone. You help me realize that we aren’t perfect.

Ashlee: I just love how you wear your testimony on your sleeve. You have an amazing testimony and are always ready to share it.

Jessica: You are an example to me of willingness. You are always so sweet and willing to help others.

Chersti: I don’t know well at all but I love how you’re so positive about everything.

Stephanie: I don’t know well either but has always been so kind to me.

Kim: You are such an example of service to me. Whenever anyone needs anything you are always there to help anyway possible

Calli: You are such a sweet person. You have always been so willing to help us and that means a lot.

Heather: I love your listening ear. You have no idea how many times you have picked me up. You always make me feel like a good mom in those hard times of raising such strong willed children. You have a great gift Heather.

Crystal: What can I say? When I think of you and I know so many others would agree I can’t help but think of the Savior. You always have open arms Crystal. You are always ready to help and ready to listen and know exactly what to say to bring another up.
Sara: You mean so much to me. You and your little Jocelyn were such an answer to my prayers You are so unselfish and always have time for others. I don’t know how you do all you do. Thanks for the listening ear. You are a great friend.

So even though our time may have been short with all of you. You all have touched my life in some way or another and that I thank Heavenly Father for. Thanks for all being such wonderful friends.

IT won't be like this for long

Darius Rucker sings this song and I love it but I couldn't find it to put on my play list. I thought it was a good one for all of us parents out there that have those days. Just remember It won't be like this for long so cherish all you can.
Here are the words


He didnt have to wake up
He'd been up all nite
Lay'n there in bed listen'n
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
He splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It gonna be OK

It wont be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laugh'n
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
It wont be like this for long

Four years later bout four thirty
She's crawling in there bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now dont you worry
This will only last a week or two

It wont be like this for long
[ It Won't Be Like This For Long lyrics from http://www.lyricsyoulove.com/ ]
One day soon we'll drop her off
And she wont even know your gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It wont be like this for long

One day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times you'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the isle
And he'll raise her vale
But right now she up and cry'n
And the truth is that he dont mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers
He lays down there beside her
Till her eyes are finally closed
And just watch'n her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows
It wont be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah this phase is gonna fly by
He's try'n to hold on
It wont be like this for long
It wont be like this for long

Our Monkey turned Two

Here are some pictures of Taylor's little monkey party. Very low key but fun. It's always so fun to see kids get so excited. Even over a ghetto crate paper job.

Now and Then

I can't believe my baby girl is already two. Time is flying by. I love her so much. A few of my favorites of Taylor lately. She is such a smarty pants and has the vocabulary of a 3 year old therefore she is always saying something to make me laugh. I love that she is a little social butterfly. No matter where we are she thinks everyone is her best friend. Always throwing out Hi's and smiles. She is so full of energy. Some days this is trying for me but I am grateful for an active stong willed child that will be a leader in life. I know if we teach her right she will stay strong in her trials and temptations of life. I love her big heart. She is full of so much love. My favorite is when she comes and out of the blue gives me a big hug and say's I love you mamma!! It means so much and I know she knows what she is saying. Those are just a few of my favorite things. I love you Taylor.

This was her a year ago. Still not lots of hair. Grow hair Grow!!

Happy Birthday Taylor

Family Photoshoot

Here are some pictures our wonderful friend Sara took. I made a super fast colloge so it cut off some but I wanted to get some posted. Thanks Sara. Your the greatest for doing this and putting up with our fun 2 year old. Families are such the greatest blessing. I look at these and can't help but get the chills and realize this is what life is all about. I love it. I am so thankful we get to be together forever. What a great promise.

Our Halloween Fun..Better Late than Never

So I am so behind on blogging. Life has been just a little bit crazy and busy at our house. Two kids is still a struggle for me but each day it gets easier as I learn what things are most important in the day. If I put those things first it seems I find time for other things.

Here is our little Cinderella. Taylor loves this movie and it makes me happy to see her getting more girly.

Yes we are lame parnets and didn't get Bridger a costume. That is what happens when you wait 4 days before Halloween to get costumes. You don't get much choice and sometimes you can't find anything and have to shop in the little girls toy dress up section. It works right. I figure now Taylor will have dress up clothes.