Front room projects

My front room has been painfully boring ever since we moved into this house. I finally decided it was time to do something about it!

I bought fabric from Joann's and wrapped these canvases.

And made these pillows...

All together I think it looks pretty good! I'm also in the process of making curtains for the windows. I'll post some more pics when they are finished.  Sorry about the wrinkled slip cover, I guess I should have fixed that before taking this picture!

Spoons

I've been trying to get Kate to use a spoon.

It's not going so well.

Introducing

Emmalyn Mills!

6 lbs 3 oz
21 inches long

(Don't quote me on the details.  This is the story, as I have pieced it together)

Little Emma arrived last night after the easiest labor I have ever heard of! Sherice was already dialated to a 6 when she arrived at the hospital, even though she was not in labor. They gave her an epidural, and she rested until her doctor arrived. They broke her water at 9:00, and the doctor thought it was still going to be awhile, so he went home. Well, at 9:30 Sherice was ready to push! She had Emma without any trouble and both mom and baby are healthy and happy.

It was about 10:30 when we heard the news, so we grabbed Kate out of bed and headed to the hospital. When I got there, I asked Sherice how it went and she said "That was easy!" What? Aren't you so jealous of her?

 Congratulations Sherice!  You did an awesome job!

Congratulations you guys!  You're going to be amazing parents!

Humility

It all started about 2 weeks ago. During our evening prayers, Dustin asked for humility so that "we may realize what is important in our lives". After the prayer was over I immediately scolded him for praying for such a thing. I know it's not a bad thing to pray for, but I'm just not one of those people who purposely pray for trials to be given to me. I said, "I hope something bad isn't going to happen now" and went to bed.

The next day Dustin was ran off the road while merging onto the 101 freeway. He remarkably survived unscathed. He didn't hit anyone, but we did have to replace 2 tires. I'm so thankful that Dustin knows how to drive well, because I know I probably would have died in that same situation. The car almost skidded into traffic, but he was able to pull out of it and pull onto the side of the road- where there is a cliff. I shudder to think of what would have happened if he hadn't managed to pull out of the skid.

I thanked the Lord for sparing my husband and teaching me my lesson in humility.

About a week later, we noticed a very strange spot had appeared on Dustin's leg.

Now I'm no expert, but I know that if a dark mass appears out of nowhere on your body- you need to get that checked out.  We tried to ignore the problem for about a week and just watch for improvement.  When none came, I scheduled an appointment with a dermatologist.

It's amazing how something so small can be so scary.  What if this was cancerous?  What if it was fatal?  What would I do without my husband?  Have we prepared for such a situation?  It was hard not to imagine the worst, but I did. 

Were we overreacting a little?  Probably.  But I think this is how the Lord wanted us to react.  Over the next few days we were more patient with one another, held each other a little closer, and spent a lot of time just being together.  It's amazing how the unknown can make you realize just how important family is.  Nothing else matters.

This morning we went to the dermatologist.  I was so nervous I hardly slept last night. 

We arrived at the dermatologist at 10:00, saw the doctor at 10:30 and left at 10:35.  She took one look at the mark, said it was completely benign but we did the right thing by coming in and sent us on our way.  I was completely relieved (and a little irked because we just paid $40 for 5 minutes of time).

So folks, the moral of this story is to love your family and be grateful for what you have, because you never know when your life could change.  I am so grateful for my amazing husband.  I love him so much and I don't know what I would do without him.  I am SO GRATEFUL that nothing is wrong with my husband, and I am thankful for what this week has taught me.  Even though life may be hard sometimes, in the end all that really matters are those that you love.



In happier news-  Sherice is having her baby as I type this!  I will be an Aunt again soon!

Just because

I don't need an excuse to take pictures of my daughter do I?

I found this tutu while cleaning the other day.  It's the same tutu she wore to Sherice's wedding last year.  She was just 2 months old!  Anyway, Kate loved playing in it!  She thought it was the greatest thing!

Don't let this sweet face fool you....

She's crazy!

4th of July!

{warning: picture overload! But I've organized them neatly for you!}

For the 4th of July this year, we stayed here in the valley. We usually go up to the White Mountains but Sherice is too pregnant, Jaron and Beth had to teach lessons on Sunday, and half of my family was at Scout Camp. So...we had a lot of fun here! On Saturday we went swimming at Aunt Reese's house.







Kate is such a little diva!




Then on Sunday we had everyone over for dinner, games, and fireworks. I made buffalo ranch chicken sandwiches and banana cream pie.  The kids were fascinated the pop-its we bought.

We played the "Things" game (always hilarious). Then we all went upstairs and watched the fireworks from our bedroom window! Our window conveniently faces Schnepf Farms, so we got to watch a great show all from our air conditioned house! It was pretty awesome!

It was an amazing 4th of July!

One year older and wiser too...

Yesterday was my birthday.

I'm now officially closer to being 30 than 20. I'm no longer a "young adult". I now have to check boxes marked "26-30 years". I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Yesterday was a good day. Kate was extra cuddly, and that made for an excellent birthday present. Dustin got me stuff to decorate our front room, which until now, has been horribly bare. He got me this frame:

and this mirror:

I'll have to wait for him to hang that. I'm sure it would be a disaster if I tried.

We celebrated by eating dinner at my favorite mexican restaurant, Aribba Mexican Grill. So yummy. We tried to go to Barnes and Noble, but Kate was being a really big stinker, so we just came home and played nintendo instead.

Oh yeah, and I also received season tickets to ASU Gammage!  My mother in law gave them to me and my sisters-in-law for our birthdays this year!  We will be seeing Beauty and the Beast, The Grinch, Shrek, and Fiddler on the Roof.  I am so excited!  You have no idea!  My mother also got me something, but it's a "secret" and I can't know what it is until she brings it down to me.  The suspense is killing me!

All in all, it was a pretty good day!

Last night as I was laying in bed, I thought, "I'm 26 and what have I done with my life?"  At first the thought depressed me, but as I thought about it, I realized I've accomplished lots of things!

-I graduated high school
-I have a college degree (just an associate's, but still!)
-I was sealed in the temple to my wonderful husband
-I worked and provided for us while Dustin went to school
-I went to Disneyland
-I went and graduated from Cosmetology school
-I have an active cosmetology license! 
-I have a beautiful home
-I bought myself a nice camera, and am developing quite a talent for photography!
-I gave birth to my beautiful baby girl
-I am a stay at home mom

So yes, although some days being a mother to a toddler can be very trying, I am so grateful for my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything!!  Heavenly Father has truly blessed me, and I am so thankful for it.



Now if I could only add "traveled to Europe" to that list....