I Won!!!!

The last time I remember winning anything was a free Starburst Frisbee when I was 7/8-ish. It seems I used up all my luck marrying the wonderful husband that I have. However, that doesn't stop me from entering every single "no purchase necessary" sweepstakes that I encounter. The months I was pregnant I entered Jordan and myself into a Johnson and Johnson get-away sweepstakes every day. Did I win, no. Even blog give aways with only 10-20 other contenders seem to elude me.


So imagine my surprise and glee when out of the blue Papa Murphey's mails me a $5 gift card saying I won their massive give-away sweepstakes!!!!! I only vaguely remember entering this sweepstakes as it was weeks/months ago and only one of many within those months for which I have submitted my name.


Sure, it doesn't even pay for a medium size pizza, but with my luck, I'll just say, "Thanks!"

Family Home Evening

One of our family new years resolutions was to be better at involving Lily in our nightly scripture study and FHE (along with having lessons more often than 1x month!). Well, although we direct our lessons toward Lily, I can't say whether she is getting anything out of them (based on the fact that she usually only listens to the first 1 minute before jumping off the sofa)- I make myself feel better by telling myself that at least we're setting a habit. However, the games and treats have her full attention! 

About a week and a half ago we played "break the ice" - Lily took tuns helping each of us hammer out an ice cube which was fun for her - but not nearly as fun as violently throwing each of the ice cubes off the coffee table once the game was over. We found some of the ice cubes all the way in the bedroom!
 

This past week we filled out our NCAA brackets. The liahona would stop working if it was based on my faith in the BYU team making it past round two. However, I need to take this moment to gloat. It's the first day of the tourny and already I have twice as many points as Jordan. That should teach him to make fun of my top secret team picking methods. If I win he has to go buy me a blizzard. If he wins I have to make him baked Alaska. Keep your doors open DQ!

Milestone

Tonight as I after we read scriptures and said prayers, I gave Lily her hug and kiss and per tradition waved goodnight as Jordan carried her off to her room to read stories. However, tonight was special because as she waved good night to me, she said, " I wub u" which sounded a lot like "I love you"! (I'm 75% sure) Melted my hear anyways.

I should be studying, or planning our weekly meal plan, but I needed to document the first time Lily said, "I love you" which coincidence or not, was on John 3:16 day (3/16/2011) - one of the ultimate scriptures of our Heavenly Fathers love for us: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

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18 months old Elf

Lily is officially Nursery Age!!! She's been going since she was 16 months (Thank you Youngberg's!) and doesn't even bat an eye when we leave her, but still, it's a milestone worth celebrating.

Here are her stats from the doctor's office:

Height: 32 1/4" = 65%

Weight 23 lbs 7 oz = 40th%

Head: 48 cm = 80%

Lily started out in the 90th percentile in height when she was born and then slowly moved down in percentiles all the way to 25% at 15 months- then suddenly at 17 months she was a very hungry caterpillar and asked to eat every hour on the hour- I guess I now know why- she had a lot of growing to do.

 

Brushing teeth? Fun. Brushing teeth in the bathroom sink? Hilarious - and never seems to get old. She does this every morning for about 15 minutes while I put myself together for the day and she still thinks it's a hoot.

Any guess at whom Lily is grinning adoringly? That's right - her Daddy. Having the bottle of bubbles in her hand doesn't hurt, she alternates between asking for bubbles or eating first thing in the morning.

Sisters Part 2- Snowy Utah

It wasn't too hard saying good-bye to my sister in Cali because I knew she was coming out in just 1 week!!!!

Lily didn't loose any time jumping into her Uncle Brad's lap.

We all headed down to the bowling alley as a fun family activity. This was the first time I had been bowling since Jordan and I were dating. They had these ramps for the little ones- and honestly I was jealous. I would have used it myself if it wouldn't have been too embarrassing. However looking back I don't know which would have been worse; the score I left with or using a ramp....

Even Lily got a kick out of pushing the ball- but couldn't understand why we wouldn't allow her to then chase the ball down the lane. I don't know how many times the buzzer sounded for "crossing the line!"

Team work. Lily and Cali pushed the ball while Laney used her Matilda-like brain power to will the ball out of the gutter.

Lily discovering her own Matilda-like brain power

How Jordan and I spent most of the time at the bowling alley

Monkey Twins!!!

Lily adored having her Aunt, Uncle and cousins over. She was Laney's little shadow and loved everything about all of them, even her Aunt Tess's shoes. Perhaps she thought if she hid them, then they wouldn't ever leave.

Sisters Part 1- Sunny Cali

I had a perfect excuse to fly out to sunny California at the end of cold, freezing January- My wonderful friend that I met while doing the LPN program was getting married in Sacramento! And, lucky for me, my sister lives just 2 + hours south of Sacramento!!! 

It was nice having some time with my best friend - my sister. She has always been my best friend (second only to Jordan now that I'm married) which is why I am excited that we are having a baby GIRL (not to mention reusing all the cute girl clothes we have)! I hope Lily and her little baby sister are just as close as Tess and I were & are. 

I didn't want the week to end - the only thing that would have made it perfect was if my hot husband was with us.

Lily LOVED having two playmates 24/7 for a whole week. She particularly enjoyed stealing Cali's toys and being Laney's shadow. 

Spinning chairs never get old.

The weather was so nice! I was sweating waiting outside the airport even after shedding my coat. It was nice to just send Lily outside to play with her cousins and all their cool toys.

 

We even made it down to the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium. Lily thought the fish were cool but really just loved all the running space. The only two exhibits that got her to stop were the hands on starfish station and the penguins.

My sister was sweet and drove me all the way to Sacramento with Lily and Laney in tow. She even watching Lily for me so I could go into the ceremony. There is something very special about being at a live sealing for someone you care about. I am very grateful I was able to be there on Shannon's wedding day.

 Lily was quite excited about the favors. I love those chubby cheeks!

She thought Shannon and Chris's fancy dance moves were worth a round of applause.

 

The wedding was just day 2 of our trip and it was around then that Lily decided that Tess was Mom #2. In fact I think both Lily and Cali were getting confused. Cali started calling Brad "Uncle Daddy" and Lily just called him "Dada".