"I just love her..."

There are a few things that Xander just LOVES!!

He loves his family:

(especially his daddy and little brother)

He loves the color green, the outdoors, and anything involving dogs or trains. He loves singing, dancing, and listening to music.

He loves reading books:


He loves playing with family and friends:


And he LOVES desserts, candy, and anything sweet:


The person he's sweetest on lately.....

"my teacher Sister Walker".

This is Lindsey Walker:

She was Xander's teacher when he was in Sunbeams and he just adores her to pieces. Anytime he sees her, whether in person or in photos, it's "Oh... that my teacher! I just love her!" When she gave a talk in church he was up on his feet waving frantically at her saying "That my teacher! That my teacher!" Infact, the first few weeks of not being in her class anymore were a little traumatic for him. Let's just say that many tears were shed, and during Sharing Time her lap was occupied.
I must say that I can't blame him. She is an amazing teacher who loves the kids she teaches and finds unique and fun ways to enhance the lessons she shares with them.

For example... take these cute little sandals she made for the kids:

Xander thought they were "the coolest" and wore them everyday for weeks (up until daddy bought him new sketchers with lights).

Then there was the time they were talking about creation and animals and Xander got his very own 'Grow a lion':

He loved watching it grow bigger and bigger in water and played with it until it began to look as though it had mange and had pieces falling off. (*I gave it a quiet and loving burial*)

You may think that I might be jealous of Xander loving another woman almost as much as he loves me (I choose to believe I'm still number one), but infact... I'm just honored that he was lucky enough to have her as a teacher for as long as he did.
Coming from a home that was, and is, blessed with one of the world's BEST teachers (my mother's students can attest to that) it's very easy for me to spot out one of the good ones when I see them.
And Lindsey... you're definitely one of the good ones!
WE LOVE YOU SISTER WALKER!!!
Thanks for being so wonderful to our little Xander, and for blessing his life!

Rollercoaster ride

So lately I feel as though I'm riding a roller coaster. Maybe it has something to do with the crazy surge of hormones that keep me soaring up and down, up and down..... but never the less, I'm starting to feel a little woosy.
Even when the day seems to drag on and I seem to get absolutely nothing done, by the end of the day I am exhausted. However, when bed time finally arrives.... my body suddenly wakes with energy and is itching to move.
IT'S SO ANNOYING.
The worst part is that poor Zach is going through the same thing. We get into bed, I talk until he gets drowsy, then as soon as he's comfy... his body keeps him awake for most of the night. Either his body is having pregnancy sympathy, or all of our bodies haven't yet adjusted to Daylight Savings Time yet. Seriously, even the boys bodies and sleep patterns are a little out of whack. It doesn't help that I think Blayne is going through a growth spurt and consistantly wakes up at odd times throughout the night, then comes barging into our bedroom early in the morning yelling "Morning Mommy! Morning Daddy! Time to wake up!" Poor Zach and I just lay there as long as humanly possible trying to convince ourselves to make our muscles work and function.
Whatever the reason for our recent insomnia I hope it ends soon. This little bear is getting ornery and needs some hybernation time!! RAAAR!!!!

Still receiving blessings....

When I received my mission call to serve in Novosibirsk, Russia (Siberia). I knew that if I served faithfully and wholeheartedly I would be blessed.

I knew I would be blessed physically, that I would be healthy, strong and protected.
I knew I would be blessed mentally, that I would be clear headed and able to make good decisions.
Most importantly I knew I would be blessed spiritually that I would be able to share the beauty and goodness of the Gospel with those truly searching for the truth. This blessing was very evident in the beginning of my mission when, through the blessings of the Spirit, investigators were able to understand what I was communicating even in my horribly broken Russian.

The one blessing I didn't anticipate however was...
the blessing of true friendship.

I was so blessed to be able to form friendships with some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and even more blessed that those friendships have continued to this day even though time and distance have come between them.

The last few weeks have been difficult and frustrating and events that occurred yesterday were starting to make things seem even worse. Frustrated, tired, and ready to just crawl up into a ball and begin blubbering like a baby... I suddenly heard my phone ring.

On the other line was the beautiful, talented, amazing, fantastically wonderful....

JESSICA FILLMORE!!!



She had simply called to inform me that she had found Dunkaroos at her neighborhood Walmart and wanted to give me the heads up for Zach's sake. (*She had remembered from a post about a year ago that he loves them, and bought a box full on line in order to get them.*) She even offered to buy and ship some if our Walmart wasn't blessed with Dunkaroo goodness.

We laughed, we chatted about pregnancy and some other insignificant things, and for the short amount of time spent on the phone with my friend, things felt good again.

Thank you Jessica for making me smile, and for being a true blessing in my life. Love you with all my heart!!

P.S. To all my other friends out there... I love you too!!!! You guys are the BEST!!!

POBEDA!!!!

(*For those wondering... it's Russian for Victory*)

It finally happened!!! I could hardly believe it myself... but there it was, happening right before my eyes and with Xander as my witness. With an 0 for 387 batting score I was about to raise the white flag (especially when Zach was successful on his first try), when suddenly the heaven's parted and a miracle occurred.


BLAYNE WENT PEE PEE ON THE POTTY!!!!
*insert Hallelujah chorus*



Yes, my little nugget #2 finally went #1 on the toilet!
We were getting ready for a bath when suddenly in front of me I heard a slight tinkle sound hitting the carpet. It was only a second or two long but in those two seconds my heart sank in defeat. Would my child really be in diapers forever?!? As I began cleaning it up I looked at my naked little nugget and simply said "Blayne, the next time you feel you need to go pee pee please go to the bathroom and go pee pee on the potty." I got the normal "Okay mommy." and off he went to join Xander in the tub. Suddenly cheering and clapping came from the direction of the bathroom.
"Way to go Blayne!! You can do it!!"
I rushed in to find my little Blayne on the toilet going pee pee, and Xander being the ULTIMATE cheering section! I guess when you repeat something two hundred and twenty four thousand times, one of those times your child might actually listen!!
All I can say is....

POBEDA!!!!