The Dancings!

Viva la Diva!!!

This is an actual, word for word, misspellings and all excerpt from Braelin's Journal. I'm not going to feel bad about putting it on my blog because she left it on the kitchen table.....what does she expect? I'm going to read it, and when I think it's this hilarious and telling into the life of my nine year old, I'm going to share it as well. You can think I'm a terrible parent, I really don't care. :)

Here it is:

O my GOSH!!! (Kyle)

Today: October 26, 2010 (Tuesday)

Did you know that I love attition. Well this boy named Kyle likes me. At first I kinda liked him, but when I found out that he likes me, I did not want to like him. So he is crawling all over me. He's in my gum class. So evry tuesday we play tag. So evry time I'm there (im always there). I just want to dich P.E. so he always trys to tag me. So i try/do tag him. So today he was in the line, right behind me! We were talking, I think he said, "Just say a sware word at me and I'll leave you alone. I don't want to say a sware word beacuse I don't want him to give away his attition. So you still know that in 3d grade I said a lot of sware words I said the B word, Aword, AHword, and the S words. I just don't want to do it.

Seriously.....(oh, this is me again, btw). I'm glad I've never heard her say those sware words.....it would certainly get MY attition!!!

Looking at the Silver Lining

Dinner with good friends......

Your daughter thinking she is actually going to make a sandwich....

Sunday afternoon naps....

Big grins.....

Dressing up.....

A beautiful sunset.....

This is how I know I am loved.

The Next Year

It's been a year. A year of staying at home as a mommy. A year of financial uncertainty. A year of major mistakes and lessons learned. A year of depression, and medication, and continued depression. A year of many joys staying at home and nursing a beautiful growing baby girl. A year of loneliness and of yearning for the companionship of other adults, while at the same time wanting to crawl into bed all day. A year of denial, regret, some acceptance and lots and lots of reality. Did I mention it's been a year?

I am hoping that by the end of this year I can get my ducks back in their row. That next year will be filled with the happiness of a bright future. I hope that I can get out of this funk, that I can turn to my Heavenly Father again for help. I hope that the dark days are replaced by the acceptance of my situation, that I will not have the strong desire to escape, but that I will have the strength to forge ahead. That I will use my running shoes for their proper purpose. That the smile on my face will be real instead of forced. That the desire to do the right thing will come from inside of me rather than knowing my children deserve that much. That the depression will be ultimately medicated, if not gone. I just hope that next year I know what the heck I am supposed to do with next year.

These are the thoughts in my head. It's crazy to write them out, because they are dark, and they are scary. But it's therapeutic. Writing has always been a comfort to me. Even when I was young, I would write to get out my feelings. Many letters went unsent. Some were sent and never arrived to their intended. I write words in my head. I talk to myself all the time. In writing, I hope to find the answers I am looking for. I hope to sort things out. And it helps a lot.

Someday I hope to look back on this year and be able to say that it was a catalyst to something better. That the struggles and the heartache and the tears were worthwhile. I hope that my children and my sweet husband have not been forever affected by my difficulties this year. I hope that they know that they are my main motivation for getting out of bed every morning. They are the reason I know that there is still a Heavenly Father who loves me, and who is waiting for me to get back down on my knees. They have been my light in this year of gray. I love them more than anything else. More than any job, more than my house, more than a title and a paycheck, more than financial gain or security, more than I love myself. Oh, I hope they know that.

Braelin's Birthday

Braelin turned nine on August 28, 2010. We had invited six of her friends to a "loosely planned" birthday party (read: cheap) and as of Friday night hadn’t heard anything from her two friends from school, no big surprise there. I had room in my car for four girls with seat belts, assuming at least one of them wouldn’t be able to come. So, Braelin tells me that her friend from school had told her that she wanted to come, but that we needed to go and get her. Of course, I have no idea who this child is or where she lives. Braelin assures me she knows where she lives.
So, we set out on our adventure with three girls from church, Braelin, myself and Brianna, Braelin’s aunt. Braelin is insistent upon “swinging by” and picking up Raven, so she directs me to the neighborhood. We get to the street she lives on, and Braelin says, “She lives three houses, two or three houses down from Chrislyn”. Oh, great! Where does Chrislyn live??!! So, the knocking begins. I felt like a madwoman. “Hi, I’m here to take your kid…..this is totally legit.” After the THIRD house we knocked on, we found Raven’s. Her mom said that Raven was at Chrislyn’s house. So, we go down to the house and here comes the two girls. What follows can only be described as a ruckus. Running in and out of houses, with phones that don’t work and dads that don’t speak English, and little girls running up and down the street trying to put their shoes on as they go. I just sat there thinking, “This is going to be a really, really bad idea.”
I couldn't have been more wrong.
Well, we got everyone in the car. Braelin and Brianna had to share a seat/seatbelt so that everyone I wasn’t related to had their own. The minivan was abuzz with chitter chatter.

We got to the downtown YMCA with a few minutes to spare before the Mommy and Me Zumba class began.

Zumba with six tweenies is just about as much fun as anyone can ever have. They were hilarious, and just grinning from ear to ear. It was the most fun I think I have EVER had working out! And let me just say that at this point, I was really glad we brought Raven, because she was putting it ALL out there. I mean, ALL. OF. IT. And I loved it!

After Zumba, we walked across the street downtown and took an elevator down into the elusive tunnels of Downtown Dallas.

Because it was the weekend, most of the tunnels were closed, but it was still cool to think we were under all of those big buildings.

We finished off our Downtown date at House of Blues. This is where things really started to get interesting. I can’t even explain it, but the pictures that follow will show you what my words could never say. Happy Birthday, my beautiful Braelin! Thank you for letting me come on this incredible adventure with you!

These Days

I was perusing Facebook today and I found a statement in that little box underneath one of my friends' pictures. The quote describes exactly how I feel these days, and I love, love, LOVE that I found it!! As I am quickly approaching my 37th birthday, which means that I am even more rapidly approaching 40 (really?), I am starting to look at life differently. Call it a mid-life crisis if you want to, but I think you just get really reflective at this age, and you start wondering about all kinds of "stuff".....everyone reacts differently to this wondering, and the quote pretty much sums up how I feel at this point in my life:

"Life is short.....Break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile."

Life is short......That is for sure!! I mean, wasn't I just in high school? Wasn't I just home from a mission? Didn't I just get married? Seriously???? Where does the time go? It is flying, and I can't keep up, and I still feel 23, and then I look at myself naked and I realize that is NOT the case, because, WOW!!! Anyway, life is very short, and it goes by waaaaaaaay too fast!

Break the rules....it's okay to do this as long as you don't make a habit of it. I have been thinking about all these rules I have running through my head....make sure you do this, don't do this, don't even THINK about doing that!!!! And there is all this guilt that I don't need, and unhappiness that I don't need to feel, and things I could be doing instead of worrying about all the things I should be doing that I'm not, and all the things I shouldn't be doing that I am. Every once in awhile, it's nice to just put all that aside and be okay with who you are and what you need. But like I said....don't make a habit of it!!!

Forgive quickly.....I like to think of myself as someone who forgives really quickly. Problem with me is that sometimes I forget to "forget". I hope that the next half of my life I find myself moving on. That I can forget the things that others have done that have hurt me, and I can forget the things that I have done to hurt myself. I also hope that the stupid things I have done haven't done irreparable harm, and that those I have hurt can forgive me quickly and move forward in their lives....whether I am still a part of it or not. I am learning a lot these days about forgiveness, and I am grateful for these lessons.

Kiss slowly.....that's right!! Is there anything better than "that" kiss? Bradley has always had this special way of kissing me, and it still makes me weak in the knees, even fourteen years after the first time! The first time I kissed him, I knew I was going to be in trouble!!! I also knew I wouldn't be okay just kissing him once. It's amazing, and it's sooooo great that my stomach still does unpredictable flip flops when he kisses me like that even though the rest of our relationship is relatively void of spontaneity. I mean, we have three kids, and we're old. But those slow kisses will NEVER be old. NEVER. EVER. NEVER.

Love truly.....pretty simple concept, right? But not always easy to follow through. I have loved loads of people in my life, but how many have I loved TRULY? To me that means that I am happy for them no matter what, that there is no malice, no jealousy, only happiness toward them and all that they are. I have loved a couple of people truly, and they are all part of my family with a couple of friends thrown in for good measure. I am so blessed to have these people in my life. Some of them have been easy to love. Other's harder to love, but I think that loving someone truly comes from going through challenges and coming out the other side better people.

Laugh uncontrollably....this is my favorite thing in the WORLD to do. I love to laugh. I love to tell stories that make other people laugh. I love watching my children laugh. I was born of an extremely witty man, who has taught each of his children well. We all have a sense of humor that is wicked, witty and downright dirty sometimes, but it gets us through all of our "stuff". I can laugh about anything, and I'm so glad I have this coping mechanism. My favorite thing is to laugh so hard that tears are running down my face, no sound is coming out of my mouth, and my stomach muscles feel like I've just done one hundred sit ups. That's when I KNOW something was super funny!!!

Never regret anything that made you smile.....Self explanatory. And I 100% agree.

I also like the quote, "Life is short. Get the shoes." Also self-explanatory. And I also 100% agree.

The Last Hour

I received one of those phone calls this morning that you hope you never receive. My beautiful sister was on the other end of the phone, and could hardly choke out the words. She told me something really horrible had happened. All of a sudden, a dozen scenarios went through my mind, and my body went numb. She told me that her best friend, Taylia Olsen, had died that morning. You see, Taylia lived in Michigan and was in the same ward as Sara. They were best friends. And by best friends, I mean that they did everything together. They even took turns cooking dinner for each other's families. As a working mother, at the time I didn't quite understand the relationship, and thought it was odd to be that close to someone. Now I am at home, and I totally get it. I understand the need to be close to someone as a mom. Someone that gets what you are going through, and sees you for who you are as a woman, not just a carpool driving, cooking, cleaning and putting-out-the hottest-fires-mommy. So, Taylia was Sara's someone. And now she is gone.
Taylia moved to China with her sweet family awhile back. Sara had been on skype with her many times, and they still communicated frequently. She was doing her daughters hair, and collapsed and passed away. Just like that. Bradley and I are both friends with her on Facebook, so we went to her page. An hour or so before she passed away she had been on Facebook playing Farmville. I said to Bradley, "If she had known she had an hour or so left, do you think she would've been on Farmville?" I began to cry and knew I had to blog. If I only had an hour or so left in my life, what would I do?
I would tell the people in my life what they mean to me. So, I am going to do that right now.
Bradley,
With everything that we have gone through in the last twelve years, you must know that you mean everything to me. Highs and lows, ups and downs, you are my constant. You have always wanted to take care of me, and sometimes I haven't let you, and for that I am sorry. I'm a stubborn girl, but this stubborn girl will love you forever, and for always, and no matter what.
Braelin,
My beauty. You and I are too much alike for words. I can feel your moods by whether or not you've eaten or slept enough. You are so precious, and have such a tender heart. I am blown away by your ability to love others so freely. I am so grateful for all that you teach me each day, and for your sweet hugs and kisses. They build me up, and I know that my Heavenly Father loves me every time I look at you and your sweet smile.
Devrie,
Devrie-Doo. My fiesty angel. You make me laugh so hard. I could look in your big, amazing brown eyes forever and just wonder how we got so lucky to have you. You are so smart, and I'm a little scared that you are already smarter than I am! When you purse your lips to kiss me, I feel so lucky to get that smushy kiss. I love our time together each day, even though it might not seem like it all the time. I feel very blessed to spend my days with you.
Aislen,
My baby girl. What a blessing you have been to me. I love spending time nursing you. Just you and me. It is so tender when you rub your sweet soft hand on mine, something you do every time you eat. You are spoiled because you are my last and I don't want to miss a thing....I missed a lot with your sisters, and I will pick you up every time you cry. You have the greatest dimples, and when you light up each morning, it warms every part of me. I love you, my little stinker monkey.
Mom,
I love you. What more can I say to someone who has been everything to me? I am so grateful that you are my confidant, and that you listen to me, even when I'm being ridiculous. Thank you for teaching me how to love unconditionally. You are amazing.
Daddy,
I have always tried to make you proud of me. Lately, I don't feel like I've done a very good job of that. Nevertheless, I hope you are proud of me, and I hope you know how much you mean to me and how much I look up to you. I love you.
Matt,
My little big brother. So proud of you and your accomplishments. You are a great husband and dad, and those two things are the most important. I love you and Andi and your boys very much, and wish I could see you more.
Sara,
My sweet sister. I couldn't bear the thought of you not knowing how much you mean to me. You are my go-to gal. I have never laughed harder. You get me. And I see you, and how wonderful you are. Not to mention the fact that you are just absolutely beautiful. I am so proud to call you my sister. I love you. I love being Aunt Lo-Lo to your amazing girls, and I hope George and your family know how much I love them.
Evan,
O-Evan. The most loyal of the bunch. And sooooo stinking hilarious! I had so much fun just talking to you and reconnecting when you came out here to help me paint my kitchen. Every time I walk in here, I think of you, and your willingness to come all the way down here and help out your nearly non-existent big sister. I love you very much. I want the best for you always, and I believe in you. I hope that you know that.
Ian,
I will never forget the time we were in Baton Rouge and I was a complete basket case, and you gave me a blessing. What a man you have turned out to be. And how awesome it was to share that experience with you. My little brother is a spiritual giant. I am so thankful for you in my life. I love living vicariously through your awesome experiences, and I am so looking forward to your bright future. I love you so much.
Mom and Dad Dance,
Thank you for treating me like your daughter. Thank you for loving me despite all my weaknesses. And thank you for raising such an amazing son. No, he isn't perfect, but he loves me and my girls more than anything. And when it comes down to it, that's all that matters, huh? I love you both more than you could ever know.
Sabrina, Eric, Julia, Quinn, Brianna, et al,
Thanks for putting up with me and all my crazy antics. I know that I have no filter, and sort of busted in on your family and talked about loads of things I shouldn't. Thanks for loving me anyway. I have so enjoyed all the times we have been together as a family. I love seeing you all and talking and laughing. It's just the best. What a great family I married into.

All my extended family....I love you as well. I am so grateful that I believe what I believe. And I do believe that we will all be together forever someday, if that is what we want. I am thankful that I am surrounded by people that I WANT to be with forever. That makes the journey there much more enjoyable, and the destination that much more exciting.

So, Taylia, I know that Farmville wasn't what you would've been doing had you known you were in your last hour. I am taking the chance to write down my feelings, and I'm sure they would've been very similar to what you would've said had you known Heavenly Father was taking you back today. Know that in the wake of this very, very sad day, you have taught me a very valuable lesson. I cannot procrastinate, I need to say what needs to be said, I need to do what needs to be done, and I need to love more than I have been.

We never know when our last hour is up, and I want to take advantage of every minute I have.

Blah, Blah, BLOG!!!

So, yes, it's been forever since I've blogged. And why, you ask? Well, let's see here....Let me think of a very good excuse.

I GOT it!! I had a baby!! And yes, I know that was nearly six months ago, but it's thrown me for a MAJOR loop, so I'm still using it as an excuse. Sue me.

So much has happened since October, it's almost easier to just pretend that snippet of time didn't exist and start over. But that wouldn't be fair to the last six months, so I will do my best with some pictures:

We had a baby girl. We named her Aislen. It isn't pronounced Ass-len. It's Ace-lin. Like Ace In The Hole. Or Ace of Base. She's a pistol. She was born real fast, and we are real glad we didn't turn around to get the camera because she would've been born in the car without an epidural.

The girls were flowers for Halloween. I made their outfits. I had officially lost my mind at that point.

Devrie continued to get into loads of trouble, especially when Mommy was nursing the new baby.

We celebrated Thanksgiving at home just the five of us. It was an event, but I think it was more difficult to get everyone outside to the gazebo for a semi-family picture. (Bradley took it, so he wasn't in it.)

Braelin had some visitors in December when she was Baptized. We also blessed Aislen the same weekend.

Grandma and Grandpa Dance came down for the baptism and blessing. It was awesome!

Devrie cut her hair. TWICE!!!

It snowed on Christmas Day in Dallas!

We managed to make it through Christmas morning without disgusting amounts of presents....it was GREAT!

In January and February we went to Utah twice. We got to see a lot of family, but it was sad, too because we had to say goodbye to Grandpa Buxton, who we love so much and miss dearly.

We celebrated Devrie's 3rd Birthday just last week. We are loser's and didn't take any pictures of that, but this is what she looks like today:

So, now I am pretty much caught up! With the Blog, anyway. The rest of my life is a nightmare for even the strongest of procrastinators! But, at least my BLOG is updated. That's how you get into heaven, right?????

The First and the Last

So, this week I have had the extreme pleasure of being at home with my girls, or, more specifically, with Devrie. About midway through the week I realized that this was my first week with her where we got to spend alone time together. And I also realized it's my last week as well because the new baby will be here next Thursday. So bittersweet. So, we are enjoying lots of Dora and Sesame Street and eating and reading together. She has made no mention of Carmen, her nanny, so it hasn't been nearly the adjustment for her that it has for me. There are times during the day she will come right up to my face and just smile, as if to say, "I am so glad you are here." It makes me want to squish her. She is such a multi-faceted child. One minute you are so frustrated with her busy-ness, the next minute, she is edible, and you really do want to just eat her up.

She has no idea what she is in for next week. I'm sure there will be LOTS of good stories. Hopefully none involving life threatening injuries of the new one by the two year old. I'm assuming just lots of "annoying" helping.

I am totally looking forward to Braelin's reaction to a new baby sister. Now that she is eight, I think she will be more motherly toward this baby than she was with Devrie.

I am sooooo ready to not be pregnant anymore. I just can't get over my bump...it's really more like a large boulder these days. And of course, you have to get up slow, because you never know what parts of your lower body are going to be affected by actually moving.

I've also decided that Dr. Braxton Hicks is an evil man. AND, I don't think men should ever be responsible for naming, inventing, deciding, or commenting on ANYTHING that only happens to women. There: I've said my peace.

Things That Make You Go HMMMMMM.....

So, the last couple of weeks have been fairly uneventful, but it seems that during times of blah, some pretty interesting things can happen.

Case in point: I changed OBGYN's with this pregnancy because I didn't want to have to travel clear to Plano for the 5,000 doctor's appts. that inevitably come with having a baby. Needless to say, this pregnancy has been VERY different from the other two, despite the fact that I'm convinced we're having another girl. I have not felt well, and the migraine headaches had gotten out of control. My new doctor prescribed Vicodin for the pain, and I will tell you that the Vicodin laughed wickedly all the way down to my stomach, where it spread into my bloodstream and did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help the pain in my head. I almost gave myself a lobotomy. So, I called the nurse to talk to her about my dilemma. I do not know nurse Jenny, I had never met her. I called her very early that morning and left her a message. She returned my call at 4pm, and this is how the conversation went:

Me: "I'm am still in so much pain, and the Vicodin isn't helping at all."

Her: "I TOLD YOU THAT YOU NEEDED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DR. SUMAKIA, THE NEUROLOGIST!"

Me: "Ummmm, I don't recall having that conversation."

Her: (Getting more impatient) "YES, WE CANNOT HELP YOU WITH YOUR MIGRAINES, YOU NEED TO SEE HIM. WHY HAVEN'T WE SEEN YOU IN APRIL?"

Me: (Getting more nervous) "Ummmm, my next appointment is for May 13."

Her: (frantically flipping through papers) "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GO SEE THE PERINATOLOGIST BEFORE YOUR 12TH WEEK. YOU ARE NOW 14 WEEKS. DID YOU SEE HIM YET? DID YOU? DID. YOU?????

Me: (Completely freaked out) "Ummmmm, no, to be totally honest, I was just trying not to throw up at my last appointment, I don't remember anything except for that."

Her: (heavy sigh while flipping through papers) Dramatic Pause. "Oh, wait, you know what? I am confusing you with another patient we have who also suffers from migraines and who is also ADVANCED AGE."

Me: "________________?" (What the hell do you say after that?)

I'm not even going to tell you what I wanted to say to her after she said that to me. I should've just hung up, instead I followed all the orders she barked out, and went and saw my OB AND the Neurologist the next day, just in case I DIED in my sleep from being so freakin' old! It was amazing to me that at the doctor I could actually pee IN THE CUP (no drippies) ALL BY MYSELF, after having driven myself to the doctor's office without causing any vehicular accidents along the way. I didn't even need my walker, nor did I need to park super close and take advantage of the Handicapped sticker permanently adhered to my license plate. I didn't ask for the senior discount at lunch, or at Ross while I waited for my prescriptions to be filled at the Kroger. I was pretty proud of my aging self. Stupid lady....

So, onto the second half of that day. I am at home laying on the bed with a pounding migraine. The meds still haven't kicked in from the neurologist, but I am hopeful. These days, we throw Braelin and Devrie in the shower together. They can't drown in there, and it keeps the floor a lot drier, since they have this strong desire to see how much water they can actually splash OUT of the tub. I was laying there in all my pathetic glory, and Bradley was in and out of the bathroom playing referee. Suddenly, there was a ruckus, followed by Braelin crying, then Devrie screaming (she can communicate with the dolphins, I swear). Bradley entered the bathroom immediately (the scream insists that you do this so you can stop the noise) and opened the shower door. The conversation went like this:

Bradley: "What is the problem?"

Braelin: "Devrie stuck her finger in my bum, and it hurt REAL BAD!"

Evidently, she had bent over to pick up a toy, and Devrie, being at BUM level saw the opportunity and took it. The scream came from Braelin hitting her over the head with whatever it was she had picked up.

Okay, so don't ever start laughing hysterically when you have a migraine. It just makes it worse.

(Old pic of Devrie and Braelin in the tub, before the poking began)

Easter Sunday 2009

So, I have to do two posts today, because I can't pass up the opportunity to show off my little girls in their Easter garb.

I was up on Sunday morning at 7am (those of you who know me well know what a HUGE sacrifice this was). Had to get ready fast so I had a good hour to do everyone's hair. Normally, hair isn't one of my top priorities on Sunday mornings. We are lucky if it's brushed let alone all up in little "things". Also, I'm just not that good at doing hair. I have very little patience, and my fingers don't work like they should. And what luck that I have two daughters with the hair swirl in the back, which translated means, "Impossible to part." Everyone else at church has these perfect parts down the scalp, my kids, looks like a zigzag on crack....

Anyway, back to my story. So, I had an hour to do hair, right? Wrong. At 8:30am, I had finished Braelin's hair and started on Devrie's. She would not sit still. I had this lattice idea that I had found on a blog from a mom that knows what she is doing, and I will tell you: "Do not attempt this when you are running late or pregnant". I started to go to a very bad place when she wouldn't sit still, and I couldn't get the piggy's to criss cross. I started to get the sweats, and it was looking like she might have to go with her "helmet hair" to church. Thankfully, I pulled it together, and this is how we ended up at church...10 minutes late:

What I Wish I Could Do!

I know I am not the only one out there who at times wishes they were doing something else. Like, I really look at certain people and think, "How'd they get THAT gig?"

For example:

Samantha Brown from the Travel Channel. I mean, she gets PAID (and I'm sure it's A LOT) to go on all these fabulous vacations, eat great food, get all kinds of spa treatments...this is her job, people. How can I get one of those? I could totally do that.

Why can't I make lots of money by making invitations like the one I did today for a friend?

I'm so jealous of people who get to be cute and creative at work all day...how fun would that be?

Or how about this...You are a divemaster, and you get paid to go scuba diving every day of your life....seriously?

Now, I am NOT complaining about my job...especially in this economy and during such uncertain times, but it's alright to dream, and I am gonna do it!

I will say that my little company has been so good for me in this respect. It has been so fun to be creative and build something from nothing that people not only appreciate, but that they are actually buying! That is something to be excited about. Now, if I can just get enough people to buy all of them that are sitting in my garage...I might have room for my scuba diving equipment in there!

Lauren

Devrie Doo Turned TWO!

I cannot believe this child is already two years old. It's so interesting thinking back to when we first found out we were pregnant. It had been just Braelin and me and Bradley for so long, it was hard to imagine life with another child. But now, I can't imagine life without her. She is such a joy in my life, and, although exhausting, I wouldn't change anything about her. Well, maybe that scream of hers that travels up and down my spine and forces me to give her whatever it is she is screaming about so she will stop.

So, let me tell you a little about Devrie.

1. From the time I could feel her kicking, she never stopped moving. She wasn't one of those that slept in my tummy during the day and kicked at night, oh, no...it was constant. I would be traveling on a plane, and there she was, like an alien trying to get out of my belly.

2. Once born, she continued moving, and she really is 100 miles an hour all of the time.

3. After the first year, she finally started sleeping through the night. The 100 mph all day helps her crash and burn at night. You can hear the house sigh once her bedroom door is shut each night.

4. She can already carry a tune. Even though the words to whichever song she has in her head may be jumbled, I know exactly what she is singing.

5. She is a bilingual wizard...every day she amazes me that she can understand both languages so completely.

6. Nothing gets past this child...you know how with some kids you can hide the remote or the chapstick, and they will think it just mysteriously disapearred? Nope, not her, she will look until she finds it, she knows you hid it somewhere in the couch!

7. Everything right now is "MINE"!

8. Before you leave, she will ask you for "mos", which means Eskimo kisses, which means you won't want to leave.

9. She loves to dress herself, and if you pull out the wrong thing, she will let you know it.

10. She loves shoes...a crazy love for shoes already. She says, "Patas", which means feet, and she wants to try them all on and look at herself.

11. If she could be outside all day, she would do it, no matter the weather.

12. If you say the word "shower" or "bath", she will sprint to the shower, strip down, and scream until you turn on the water.

13. When her daddy comes home from work, you would think he'd been gone for 2 weeks, she is so freakin' excited to see him.

14. When you try to leave her in the Nursery at church, she vomits so you'll come back. It works.

15. When she wants you to be quite, she says, "Shhhh.", and holds her finger to her nose instead of her mouth.

16. She has these amazing brown eyes, and we have no idea where they came from...we are guessing my mom's side, but who knows...

17. She thinks Desatin is face cream, and hand sanitizer is shampoo, and toothpaste is a treat.

18. She can get into anything and any place you have tried to lock. The other day I locked the bathroom door for some privacy, and she came busting through the walk in closet and out the other side, like, "hey, I almost missed you, lady! What gives?"

19. She can program a cell phone better than I can.

20. She wants to do everything her big sister does, including, dancing, singing, tumbling, swimming, talking. If Braelin is doing it, she is gonna try.

21. She can beat the tar out of Braelin.

22. She can beat the tar out of Mommy.

Here is a picture of her after she ate her birthday cake after her 1 year old party.