Family visits....

I want to start this blog off with a little snipet of reflection that I have been mulling over this week.

I love my life.  I love everything about it and I absolutely would not change a thing.  I have the husband that I want, the child that I want, the career that I have always wanted, and I live in the city that I want to. I am so lucky and thankful that I can say that without batting an eye.  And while I think that, for the most part, each person's life is a product of the decisions that they have made - that is not always a fair statement.  So many people were not born into a situation where they were encouraged to grow up, make good healthy decisions, and succeed. It's sad how some are given amazing opportunities with intelligent and loving parents to guide them, and some are not so lucky.  I hope that whomever is reading this, that you were lucky. That you were loved and encouraged.  If you were, take a moment to appreciate it (and maybe say a little thanks to your parents). If you weren't, know that you can provide differently for your children and break the cycle.  

The following quotes have inspired me this week - they may be cheesy but they speak the truth!

The greatness comes not when things go always good for you. But the greatness comes when you're really tested, when you take some knocks, some disappointments, when sadness comes. Because only if you've been in the deepest valley can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain. 

--   Richard M. Nixon

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. 

--Martin Luther King, Jr.

Alright, onto a brighter topic....this week we got a visit from my aunt Drexell and my cousin Shannon!  We had a great time with them...showing them UT and introducing the mountains. Drexell taught Kinsey how to speak country and Shannon taught her some physical therapy stretches and how to almost roll over :) We went for walks around the neighborhood, and for people who "know they live at sea level", they kicked butt! 6,200 feet didn't hold them back :)

 

We also went to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving Point on Saturday and got some beautiful pics! Kinsey thoroughly enjoyed it, although she was only awake for about 15 min of it :P

It was a gorgeous day and a fun time with family :)

My loves

J and I got to go dancing like old times while they were here. It's no :08 and we don't leave at 2:00 am drunk and drenched in sweat anymore, but it's definitely a great way to spend some quality time together 0:)

We were so happy to have them - they cooked and cleaned until they dropped! On my next post I will have a link to all of the delicious recipes that they made :)

Shannon brought Kinsey a ridiculously cute outfit...she is going to be the only little southern belle in UT!

 


I have been working this week at a hospital that is a little further away from my house and therefore can't make it home for lunch. Therefore J has been sweet enough to bring Kins to me, and it is the best way to break up my day....

I think that Jordan is really enjoying his daddy-daughter time with Kinsey.  They have been reading books, working on tummy time, and dancing around the living room to Dixie Chicks (which Jordan has been waiting to do his whole life, I'm sure) :) 

Kinsey's new achievments include: almost rolling over, reaching and grabbing an object, and fist pumping.  She continues to sleep 10-12 hours a night, drool all over everything, and is just a sweetie all around. Her next Pediatrician appointment isn't until June 5, but I would be willing to bet that she weighs around 13 lbs now. She has been eating like a champ - anywhere from 4-5 oz per feeding and it's only another 2 months before we can start introducing solids....crazy!

So Strong!!!

Fist pumping champ...

Naked and Happy :)

So exhausted from all that exercise!

Speaking of the baby - for you moms who read my blog but haven't started blogging yourselves...NEWS FLASH!!! (I just found this out myself) You can print your blog into a book! That's right...Blog2Print.com is a FABULOUS idea! For those of you who are completely craft-clueless like me, what an easy way to "scrapbook".  I will definitely be printing out a book each year.

I'm so excited for the near future in babyland! I have so many friends that are having babies! Congratulations to Samantha Kriesle, who just gave birth to little Hadley :) Next up is Naomi and Rob, then Rena and Mike, Rachel and Joe, and Sarah and David. Also to be congratulated is Jen Forsyth who will be getting married in July! I can't wait for your bachelorette party in Vegas....holla :) - I have to just quickly say here that it's such a conundrum...going to Vegas to "drop it like it's hot", but bringing my husband and infant along since I'm still nursing. Should be interesting to say the least.

My next blog post will be dedicated to Jordan. Our 5 year wedding anniversary is tomorrow and he has truly given me the best years of my life thus far.  I am such a lucky girl to have a husband who loves and cares for me the way that he does, and therefore I think he deserves a whole blog post to himself :)