Happiness is...

..twirling Gracie on a summer afternoon.

An Engagement Session

Eleven Years...

...life is good.

Emotions

Grant is a wonderful big brother. He loves Grace with all his heart. His emotions have been close to the surface these past few weeks, with the changes that have happened. He has not once been mean or said anything mean to or about Grace, but has shared feelings of being left out with us. Today as we came home from his science class there was a package on the door step. Grant's eyes lit up and he said, "Maybe it's for me!!!" I calmly tried to prepare him and said, it could be for any member of the family. It was labeled to the "family" so he was hopeful, but yet again...another gift for Grace. He didn't complain or throw a fit, but quietly walked to the hall where he shed some tears. He was trying so hard to hold it together and I held him tight so he could just let go.

Mark has been particularly aware and sensitive to Grant. He even took a day off work the other day so he could spent some one on one time with him. They went to the park, the Rocket Center and attempted mini-golf. Then the following day he sent Grant an email saying what a great time he had with him and how much he loved him. He's a great Dad.



So, as we work through the changes we love him even more. He is such a bright spot in our lives. I love him. I love his imagination, inquisitiveness and creativity. I love his eyes and his little hands that twirl my hair.



Grace is showing all sorts of emotions. She is smiling quite a bit and I think I heard a giggle today. She loves when her big brother talks and plays with her and squeals are getting louder each day. She has several different cries and it's getting easier to distinguish what she wants. Babies grow so fast and as my dad would say....if they grew this fast their whole life they would be as big as a battle ship!

We love our Gracie girl!





Are we done yet?


(p.s. Mark finally updated his blog)

In His Arms

We can't get enough of her:

Mine

Coming Home

We made it home! Now adjusting to just about everything! Thanks for all the wonderful comments, we are full of love and gratitude for our new addition! click pictures to enlarge:






Grant and Nana had flowers all over the house for our arrival home. I thought this was so cute; tulips in a little boot for Grace's room...it was Grant's idea!

Grace Ann

7 pounds 14 ounces, 20 inches of perfectness! We are so in love...











Me and Her:


Proud Big Brother:


Proud Dad:

Heart Attack

Last night while Mark was at YM the doorbell rang. Grant and I were upstairs and he looked out the window and exclaimed, "Our door is covered in hearts!" We ran down and Grant was beside himself at the hearts that had been put on our door and yard....he just couldn't believe it and was so excited! He quickly started trying to figure out who had done it all the way until Mark got home.

The YW in our ward sold heart attacks for fundraising for camp. Mark surprised us with one and the girls did quite a good job!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Sweet

Today I noticed my hubby had posted a sarcastic comment to my sister down a few posts and it reminded me he had mentioned updating his blog after months. For some reason his link didn't get to my "blogs I read list" and since beginning a blog he rarely updates, thus I rarely check.....but after seeing his comment today it made me meander over. I feel bad it took me this long to go read his thoughts, so sweet. I love my little family.

Macro Monday - flowers from mark

My Boys

Here are my two loves in their matching suits. Grant had his primary program today and gave a talk in primary. I am happy to say that I have seen such a growth in his maturity and spirituality this past year (since his last primary program where he sat and bothered the kid next to him the whole entire time and pretended to lead the music instead of singing). He at least attempted to sing the songs and did a great job remembering most of his talk! He warms my heart.