New Beginings

2014 has been great so far! We traveled back up to NorCal after a super fun week in SoCal with my parents.  It was back to real life for us! Back to school for Parker and back to work for Tanner. It's been tough having Tanner gone all week. I've had some challenges: I blew a fuse vacuuming and had no idea WHERE the fuse box was let alone how to fix it! But once I did, I blew it again. And again. AND when I opened the box, in the dark there was a HUGE spider in there! I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do it! Where's my man when I need him?? I also burned the pancakes I was making for Parker in an attempt to be a good mom and set off the fire alarm which I was clueless on how to turn off. Luckily it just stopped automatically. Aside from just needing that extra set of hands and my security at night, it's been ok. We are surviving. I've been setting up tons of play dates and Parker has started gymnastics which makes the week flow by easier. We also ventured to the library and got cards and some fun books. And I started teaching Parker the piano! Now that the baby falls asleep at 7 I have that night time routine back with Parker- which is my favorite. I've also started a nice little cleaning schedule for the house which makes me happy! I can't stand a messy house! Meanwhile, Rayleigh is growing like crazy! And the moms at school told me that Parker had grown as well; since the last time they saw him! My kids need to slow down with their growing!!!!

She LOVES her bath! It's so fun! And she's still in size 1 diapers!

My pretty, pretty princess!

While Parker's at school we do a lot of playing on the floor. 

She sticks her tongue out when she's concentrating. She's currently trying to grab things- it's adorable.

Something slightlys less adorable, but still pretty cute, is how she cries literally every 10 minutes when I'm trying to workout. I am doing Jenni's fitness challenge again and this was my post this week:

So, basically, having a new born takes the majority of your time. I'm hoping as she gets a little bit older, as this challenge progresses, I will be able to complete the workout routine I so desire. IF she tolerated her stroller, then walks would be amazing. But alas, she screams. DON'T CALL CPS ON ME, NEIGHBORS! She's only 3.5 months and thankfully I've still been losing the weight but not as fast as I'd like to. I'll pop in Jillian Michaels and 10 minutes later she'll beg for my bosoms. I've tried to ride my stationary bike whilst holding/nursing her but that's just plain ridic. And doing yoga while her sweet little face is staring up at me like, "Mommy! Why aren't you holding me?" is making it hard for me to find my center. BUT, I'm trying. I do cave and drink a cold, tall glass of chocolate milk sometimes. Salads and berries have been so yummy lately, though! I'm glad we go week by week. It gives me a chance to start over with a clean slate, so to speak. As long as I'm progressing I'm not digressing, right?

Parker LOVES gymnastics!

I tried to take some pictures of Rayleigh with her bear from Parker (the one he got her when she was born) to show how big she's getting. This was her 3 month picture (about a week late)

Parker wanted in on the action! He is sooooo good to his baby sister and she just lights up when she sees him!

So, one particularly hard day I heard a knock at the door and who was there? But, a flower delivery guy! I felt so special! They are actually from the branch president who Tanner is working for right now, Steve. His card said thank you for supporting Tanner and that he knows it's a sacrifice for us. It completely made my day. It's nice to know you are appreciated and that all your hard efforts aren't going unnoticed.

Best big brother in the whole world! How could I get anything done with out my super awesome helper???

I just love her sweet face.

It's always a thrill when Daddy comes home. We try to make the absoulte most of our weekends now since it's the only time we have to spend together! We like to hit the spa first thing on Saturday morning!

This Saturday we went to old town Auburn and had lunch at this cute place! It was raining so we sat inside by the fire and had a yummy meal. I want to take my mom back to badly and sit out in the garden and order her a "Mom Salad"!

There was a fancy little girly shop where we were given this hair band for free because Rayleigh is so cute! We also went to the rock shop and had fun exploring all the cool rocks and gems. We picked out a geode for Parker! Tanner had never seen one before so he and Parker had a blast breaking it open later that day! It is so sparkly! Parker picked out some fools gold too. So fun!

And since we are gluttonous and clearly don't stick to our new years goals of working out and eating healthy, we went to the Black Bear Diner for dessert. That's all. Just dessert. It was delish.

We hate saying goodbye to Tanner. I don't think he's too fond of it either. But we squish in as much cuddle time as possible.

My daughter and I have some good times together. We are quickly becoming best friends. The other day, as we were playing on the floor, I tried to show her what she's going to look like with long hair! She loves my hair- loves the way  is feels on her face and loves to hold it. She looked pretty funny with my hair. I know she will look much more gorgeous with her own. :-)

I was impressed with a talk given in my home ward on the first Sunday of the year which had to do with new beginnings. I realized, I've had a lot of "new beginnings" in my life, most of which have been with Tanner. Leaving home and going to BYU-I was certainly one of the first. Tanner going on his  mission. Both of those decisions ultimately led us to each other. Then there was getting married and where we would start our lives together. We had many options but chose Las Vegas. When Tanner was laid off and we were expecting Parker we were lucky to move back to SoCal. Although that was a choice and we could have gone anywhere- or stayed where we were. But that decision ultimately led us to BYU and our fantastic experience in Utah. After that it was PA for grad school. Once again, because of hard work and sacrifice we were able to go there and perhaps one of the top "new beginnings" we've had was choosing to leave PA and pursue a career upon the realization that we were finally going to have another baby. Tanner worked hard and was offered a job which moved us to NorCal where we are now! It's not that each fork in the road was an easy decision- that it was clear which way we should go. In fact, it was quite the opposite of that. I'm grateful for a gracious and patient Heavenly Father who lets us chose wisely where we should go and then sustains us when we follow His plan. It doesn't matter WHERE we are as long as we are faithful in keeping the commandments. Jenny Shumway taught me it doesn't matter where you live or where you are going. If you pray for Heavenly Father to lead you to people whom you can serve and be His hands here on Earth, that's the most important thing. So, while we are here in NorCal for who knows how long I will try my best to service my neighbors and do God's work. I know if I do that I will be happy no matter what. This life isn't on a set course. I know I've made decisions with Tanner on which path to take and our lives COULD be dramatically different. But we are happy and healthy and thriving and our home is full of love. I could not be more blessed. :-)