Family Update

So I realize that I really haven't updated you on the rest of the family lately. I also need to get better at taking pictures again.

Wes has still been sick off and on and has had a continuous ringing in his ears for a couple of months. He saw an ENT doctor last week. They performed a hearing test and unfortunately he has some permanent hearing loss in certain ranges. His tonsils also appear to be permanently inflamed so he will need his tonsils out. Now we just need to look at his busy schedule and plan the surgery for a time when he doesn't have anything scheduled. Work has been pretty busy recently and he has managed to stay on top of things for the most part.

Lydia had pink eye twice in the last month or so. She also was sick last week with a stomach bug. She appears to be 100% better now which is marvelous!!! She is doing great in ice-skating and is learning new things all the time. Grades just came out and she did pretty well. One grade was a little lower because we didn't realize that she needed to participate online at a study site. Now we know. Lydia is a great girl and is growing up super quick! Right now in her free time she likes to play The Sims 2 on the computer.

Adelle also has been blessed with Pink Eye, just once though. She also had the stomach bug but recovered pretty quickly. She was pretty devastated to miss a movie/popcorn party at school and her first field trip. Talk about bad timing. She is my emotional girl and goes up and down pretty easily. She is also learning a lot in ice skating and is still enjoying it immensely. Her grades were wonderful! She was recently tested to possibly be placed at an advanced school within the district. We will have to wait a couple of weeks for the results.

I started work a few weeks ago and I'm starting to adjust. I unfortunately seem to have picked up some sort of bug and I am hoping it doesn't last long. I can hardly swallow right now and I'm just praying it isn't strep. Emotionally I'm doing better though:)

Violet is 3 months Old

So last Sunday Violet turned 3 months old! She is getting bigger and bigger as you can see by her sweet chubby cheeks. A lot has happened in the last month or so. She tried really hard to roll over on March 20th. She was so super close. She has tried a couple of times since then but she hasn't quite done it.

She has started reaching out for things, especially her elephant on her rainforest gym. She loves to spin the rattle on the bottom and grab onto the elephants ears.

Violet officially giggled for the first time March 23rd. I was changing her diaper and was talking to her when she laughed. We have all taken turns trying to get her to laugh. It is fun :)

Violet really seems to enjoy books that are somewhat sing song and that rhyme. She loves Cat Goes Fiddle I Fee, There's a Wocket in my Pocket, Olivia's Opposites, Charlie Cricket, and others.

Violet naps best when she is in my arms so I am just going with that one. I know eventually she will like to nap other places, but for now I am enjoying her snugliness.

She was watched by someone outside the home for the first time last Friday. Wes' mom watched her in the morning when I went into work. Ellen said she napped most of the time and seemed somewhat out of sorts to be away from home. She would cry in her sleep at times. Poor girl :(

Lydia and Adelle still adore Violet and are great big sisters. They really enjoyed playing puppets with her the last couple of days. Adelle was a little grossed out though when Violet slobbered all over the penguin.

Time is flying by and I am trying to enjoy each moment as it comes. I know she will be grown up before I know it.

What do you do?

So with my dad passing, and with my only grandmother disowning me this past week I have had some really hard moments. Yes, my grandmother, my father's mom, has disowned me. It is a long story and it probably doesn't belong on my blog. Anyway, sadness at times will completely envelop me and make me feel so heavy. I had a wonderful blessing last Sunday from someone I really care about in my ward. I approached him right after Stake Conference and asked if he could give me a blessing. He was so wonderful to make time for me in his busy schedule. It was one of the best blessings I have ever received. That really helped me. Thinking about the blessing is helping me as well. Perhaps that is what I need to do is just cling on to those words and try to let those words envelop and buoy me up.

What do you do when you are sad? What helps you pull through? I really don't like feeling this way and I know my family worries about me when I am depressed. I am naturally a positive person. I have been through so much in my life and I know I am strong enough to make it through. In the blessing it was stated that Heavenly Father won't give me more than I can handle. I guess I should be able to handle this. I just don't want to feel so sad while I'm going through all of this. I don't know if I should be so open about this because I don't want others worrying about me so perhaps this blog post won't stay on here long. I also know there are a lot of people who care about me and can give good advice.

Handmade Treasures

I have been so appreciative of all of the gifts and well wishes I received when Violet was born. I was especially pleased with some of the handmade treasures we received. I know how hard and time consuming it can to be to make something yourself. I wanted to photograph these wonderful creations and say thanks! This beautiful, stunning quilt was made by Wes' grandmother who is in her eighties. I love each handmade girl and all of the detail that has gone into each square.

This quilt came to me from the young women and young women leaders. It is super soft and warm and a great size if I want to bundle my little one in my arms while rocking her.

This little blanket and burp cloth we got from the hospital thanks to a generous volunteer. I love all of the cute animals. I thank the nurses chose this one for us because it is violet :)

The two green burp clothes on the right were made by Rebecca, the Relief Society President. The one on the left was made by my step-mother's friend.

This beautiful quilt was a gift from a friend, Miranda. She gave it to me at a work shower and it is absolutely plush and lovely!

Wes' Mom made this wonderful crocheted dress. Isn't it amazing! I wish it still fit her. I know endless hours went into it.

These were gifts from my step-mother, Julie! She asked her very good friend to make them for me. We have gotten oodles of compliments from complete strangers sometimes. The black polka dot one especially gets a lot! They are so soft and silky and are great for keeping Violet warm on the go or just hanging around the house.

I am so grateful for loving friends and family who have shared their talents with us!! We love you!

Creating Places for Remembrance

I received beautiful growing plants when my father passed away. Somehow the plants have survived to this point. I am really hoping they will stay that way. Both of these pictures were given to my parents as gifts from me and in the end I ended up getting both of them back. I have now placed them in a place where I can see them every day. It is special to me. I also have placed a small urn next to my mother's picture. It once housed a small amount of her ashes, but they were spread over the cliffs of Moab not longer after she passed. Now it just houses a lock of her long, beautiful, blond hair. Sarah and I both took a lock of hair before we closed the casket. It isn't much, but it is something to remember both of my parents by. It helps me remember that they are watching over me.

Reconnecting with Old Toys

Violet is needing more entertaining nowadays. I pulled out Adelle's old blocks from storage to introduce them to Violet. They are pretty neat! They are seethrough and are filled with anything from zebras, rattling popcorn, bells, etc. Violet was mildly amused. Adelle on the other hand had a blast!

Precious Moments

Wes snapped this picture of Adelle, Violet and I reading on Sunday. I love being a mom!

Ice Princesses

The girls began ice skating lessons last week. Overall they seem to be enjoying it.

Adelle started out with a snazzy walker. She got a little frustrated without the walker last night and sat on the ice for half the time. I reminded her of the saying "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again". She had used the phrase one me earlier in the day while I was trying to practice for the math entrance exam.

Lydia was pretty wobbly her first lesson, but she is just getting better and more confident with each lesson. I am so proud of both my girls! I am also excited that they are trying new things. Go girls!