Monday, December 21, 2009

Sleep in Heavenly Peace


So one night last week Adeline just would not give up! She screamed, and wailed and cried, and screeched, and practically hyperventilated for hours and hours into the night!!

Oh my golly goodness!

Tyler and I couldn't figure out what the issue was. Was something poking her? Not that we could tell! Was she hungry? I tried feeding her several times. Was she afraid? Sick? Argggh!! Who knows?

Blessings were given, silent prayers offered, infant Tylenol administered and still the hollering continued!

Finally around two in the a.m. I bewilderingly pulled my tiny girl out of her bassinet, and wrapped her in my arms!

"Mommy is here", I whispered. "I don't know what to do for you my darling. What do you need? Mommy and daddy need sleep and so do you! Please just give in.....please."

Between shudders of exhaustion that only hours of emotional outburst can generate, she latched on and began to feed. I held her with all of the love in my heart. I felt so tired. Tired of being tired. I hoped that my love would soak into her skin and heal whatever part of her was needing my attention. I prayed for peaceful sleep to finally carry her away. And it did.

Thank you Lord, for answering my prayers.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

A Favorite Quote



I met Elder Maxwell once. I stood face to face with him. I shook his hand and looked into his exceptional blue eyes! I don't recall anything that was said, but as with all great moments in life, I remember the feeling....Peace, and goodness. That is the best way I can describe it!

The following is one of my favorite quotes/reminders and it comes from none other than Neil A. Maxwell:

"And, if you sense that one day every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, why not do so now? For in the coming of that collective confession, it will mean much less to kneel down when it is no longer possible to stand up!"

To read the entire talk go here!

I feel lucky


This past week Tyler and I celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary! Our usual tradition has been a getaway in SLC for a couple of nights, long baths in jetted tubs, room service and movies in bed!!

I love our traditional getaway, and I must say, I've really been longing for it.

This year we sent the babies to Grandma's house for a few hours. I came home threw myself on a huge pile of pillows and rolled around whining....explaining that I didn't know what to do to make our special day special. I hadn't planned anything....other than sending the children away.

For dinner I ended up eating hummus and carrots and sharp cheddar on toast. While this meal does include some of my favorites, it just didn't seem like an anniversary worthy meal. You know what I mean?

Tyler and I then sat on the couch and watched Bill Engvall's 15 degrees off cool, which I must say gave me a good laugh, and lifted my mood considerably! We called to check on the kiddos and then spent the rest of our time connecting in a more meaningful way. I love it when my sweetheart holds me in his arms and allows me to whine about my frustrations. I know it sounds lame and pathetic, but it means so much to me to have his loving ear, and understanding heart. I love having his warm hands wrapped around my cold, tired, grouchy body! He is a healing influence in my life. I am often too hard on myself and he patiently tries to lift and encourage me. I wish I had been in a better mood on the day we celebrate our wedding!

Our anniversary wasn't the same as years past, but in some ways it was just what I needed. Time. Time with the man I love, to celebrate our accomplishment! 4 years of progression, love and loyalty!!

I figure if he can love a woman who looks like the picture above (no make-up, etc.) And see the beauty that really matters, I've got a lot to celebrate!

Thank you my love! I look forward to every day with you!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Childhood Memories


1- When we were young and living in what my parents called "the great and spacious building" on 9th East in Provo, we would watch "Dallas" and eat potato chips every Friday night! It is funny to think of that now, because Dallas isn't exactly a show for young children. You wouldn't think I'd be interested....oh, but I was! I couldn't wait to find out who shot J.R....about the weird dream season with Pam and Bobby.....Sue Ellen and her big scary eyes....okay, maybe my memories are a little fuzzy. All I know is that "Dallas" rocked and so did the potato chips!

2-I remember trips to the Rocky Mountain Drive-in for french fries and fry sauce. Then we would head across the street to the park on 5th East. You know the one that used to have the large ditch full of water where all of the kids would play and contract all sorts of illnesses? That may be why they filled it in and closed it up eventually. So sad.

3-Sunday nights we would have friends over for popcorn and juice! The grown-ups would discuss how the country is going to heck in a hand basket, and unknowingly keep me awake at night wondering if I even had a future to look forward to! Heavy political discussions and popcorn...good times!

4-Every time my Grandma W. would come visit she would gift us a package of cheese curds from the cheese factory in Delta! We loved the "squeaky cheese"! On one occasion I ate a little too much and had to spend a long evening in the bathroom (over sharing?)....it wasn't pretty!

5-I loved to go walking with my mom and her friends. Sometimes they walked a little too fast for my short legs, so I would have to skip and jog a little in order to keep up. I remember one time when it was just me and my mom. We were walking up 3rd south in Provo. It was dusk and I thought I saw a rabbit crossing the road up ahead. As my mother searched the street for said rabbit, she caught her toe on the uneven sidewalk and landed on her face!! I felt horrible!!! To this day she still teases me about the "rabbit"!

6-When I was eight years old I had a poster of Jon Bon Jovi hanging on my bedroom wall. I knew all the words to "Livin' on a Prayer" and "You Give Love a Bad Name". When Bon Jovi came to town, my dad stood in line with me to get tickets. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) the tickets sold out before we made it to the front of the line! Wow! My dad was awfully supportive. I mean what eight year old is waiting in line to see Bon Jovi?

I'm starting to realize that I was a very *ahem* "unique" child!

It is interesting when you stop and look back at different parts of your life. It is almost always embarrassing in some way. Like in my case it appears I was a little bit obsessed with food. And apparently adult conversation,television shows, and rock bands. Funny. It's fun to think of the way things used to be. The things that used to be important to me. The things that have made me, in part, who I am right this very minute.

What are some of your favorite childhood memories?

P.S. In the photo, I am the one on the right with the side pony-tail! This is the only childhood photo I have on the computer! Girl's Camp at Mia Shalom!

Cheese!


A home without cheese......is really no home at all!!

Emilee will back me up on this!

We both LOVE cheese, sharp cheddar, swiss, parm, colby-jack, string cheese, cottage cheese...you name it...we love it!

She has a couple of old camera's in her toy box, and she walks around the house holding them to her face yelling CHEESE!!! I'm not sure where she picked that one up since I haven't used that one on her much, but it is so cute!!

A funny and somewhat disturbing thing happened the other day as we were sitting together on the couch. Emilee stuck her little finger up her nose, pulled out a boogie, popped it in her mouth, then looked up at me with a big smile and exclaimed, "yummy.....cheese!"

I laughed out loud, which was probably not the most mature or appropriate reaction to the situation, but it caught me off guard, and I found it quite hilarious. After we quit giggling together, I then explained that we shouldn't really eat our boogies, and though delicious they may seem....they most certainly are NOT cheese!

Monday, December 14, 2009

Sweet Adeline


I love being mother to a small baby, more specifically this small baby!

She is a complex combination of easy going and high maintenance. She often sports an expression mistaken for a scowl, but deep down inside...I know she is happy! (Mothers just know these things.)

When her smile is finally exposed, it is the most pleasant surprise! Sweetness is discovered in a offering of cheeks and drool! Sparkling eyes, and chubby fists pumping with happiness!

She is kind of a mama's girl, which is nice until I need to turn my attention elsewhere. That's when the drama starts! Oh...the drama!

Yes we have some strong willed little ladies in the house! It's awesome and amazing...sometimes overwhelming, and always exciting!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

I need you too!


This photo has nothing to do with this post, but I love finding the fruits of play and imagination scattered about the house. Things like this always make me smile!

**********


A few months into my pregnancy with Adeline I had a sort of hormonal melt down. I was really upset about something and I threw the remote across the room and began crying and carrying on.

This is very embarrassing to admit, and fortunately it is not a common practice of mine to behave this way, but, needless to say it traumatized my poor little Emilee and most likely my unborn Adeline as well.

In the midst of my bawling and carrying on, I could hear my sweet child's fearful voice crying...."mama, mama.....mama!" I finally took her in my arms and assured her that all was well and that mommy would be okay!

To this day the whole incident haunts me. It is one I would take back if I could, but I'm not perfect, and a very weak side of myself showed up that afternoon. Ever since that day Emilee has been extremely protective of her mommy and extremely sensitive to my emotional state.
On occasion, she will stop what she is doing, and ask...."mommy, you okay?" I used to worry about it, feeling like it is an unnecessary burden for one so small, feeling responsible for keeping tabs on her mother's state of being, but after a while I began to realize something. Our children are an unlimited source of love and comfort. They are teachers of loyalty and forgiveness! They are almost incapable of holding a grudge against us and all our imperfections, because they expect the best out of us, and seem to hope for it even when we doubt ourselves!

I don't even know if any of this is making sense, but I just need to acknowledge and celebrate the love that is found in these button nosed, rosy cheeked babies of mine!

Being a recipient of their love is an honor indeed!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Tiny Babe



I've been thinking a lot about Jesus. How He came into the world the same way we all do, as an infant. An incredible being in a small incapable body. He had to grow into his greatness!

I find hope in this simple observation.

We are all incredible beings, children of God. We all grow, but unlike The Savior, we do not always realize our greatest potential.

Because He came into this world and became who He was meant to be, we CAN do likewise! We can make mistakes and still have hope! We can change for the better!

The happiness that comes from this knowledge is huge!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

I Love Christmas

But even more...I love the Man whose birth we celebrate!

Keeping House

I'm not the world's worst housekeeper, but I'm afraid I rank right up there. It is embarrassing how disorganized my home is on a regular basis.

I love beautifully organized and designed spaces, but for some reason I really struggle to maintain that in my own home. And I can't exactly use the kids as an excuse, because honestly I wasn't very good at it before I had kids.


For any of you who have been to my parent's house, you know my mother is an amazing housekeeper. She can't stand to have anything cluttered or out of order. I feel bad when we come to visit, bringing our chaos into her clean and orderly home. I'm sure she always breaths a sigh of relief when we are finally gone. I wish I would have inherited more of my mother's skills.


The reason I bring this up is because it is my new goal to get my home under control and then see how many consecutive days I can maintain the order!! I'm excited for the challenge!

We'll see how it goes.

If anyone has good tips on cleanliness and organization, feel free to share! I know the main key is getting off my rear and just doing it, but if you have any other good ideas, I'd love to hear!

Friday, December 4, 2009

A few of my favorite things


1. Warm home. I love the flicker of firelight in our wood burning stove. I look forward to this time of year so we can light it up and feel the warmth.

2. The color green. There is something so beautiful about the color green. It is my favorite. It is the color of life on this earth. Green represents growth and progression. Joy and contentment. At least that's what it represents to me!

3. Family dinner. Here on the ranch we have a family dinner rotation. Every week someone hosts the rest of the family for dinner, conversation and fun! I always look forward to it. It is always a bright spot in the week!

4. Full Moon. I love the night time sky. I love the moon full and brilliant. They say there is a man in the moon, but I disagree. I think of the moon as feminine. Softly glowing in the night. Peacefully watching over a sleeping world.

5. Tea Pots. I really do love tea pots. I collect them in fact! I enjoy how they are round, plump, and curvy. So charming and sweet! And sipping on a cup of sweet peppermint tea is quite satisfying indeed!

It is ALL worth it....


....because at the end of the day...... in these two exhausted arms.....I hold a piece of heaven.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Dear Money


Hello my friend! We have known each other for a long time now. I know there have been times when we haven't seen each other as much as I would have liked. You have many friends, and you are very busy. I realize that! I just wanted to let you know that despite all that, in some way you have always been there for me, and I really, really appreciate that!

I am writing to let you know that Tyler and I are making big plans for our future. There are so many people we would like to help and we would like to invite you to join us if you can!! It's going to be awesome, and it certainly won't be the same without you! I hope to see more of you soon.

Thanks for all you've done for me!

Love,
Michelle

ABC's


I found this darling project that I'm dying to do!! Little quilted magnetic letters! I think I'm going to make these for Emilee's up-coming birthday. She is at the age where she is interested in learning the alphabet, and she always loves to play with those old magnetic letters at my mom's house. This is just a way cuter version!!

If you are interested in the tutorial go here.

The Good, The Bad, and The Adorable


We have entered some new phases of life in the Iverson household! First of all we will soon be entering the wonderful world of potty training! Yippee....and yikes! Emilee is showing the signs of "readiness" as described in the "Pull-ups" potty training video. I think we'll officially be starting the beginning of the year.

Emilee is such a fun and energetic girlie!

I have been expecting that at some point she would begin to test the boundaries, channeling her hyper-activity on non mommy approved activities. That time is now here!!

Within the last week or so we've acquired some lovely crayola wall art! The curtain rod is badly bent in the living room due to constant twirling in the curtains. She has been found numerous times standing and/or sitting on the coffee table, climbing on dangerously unstable, wobbly things around the house, nearly giving mommy and daddy heart failure. She has a fascination with trying to sit in the refrigerator whenever I open it, and loves to "help" mommy care for Addy, by putting blankets on her head!

Needless to say...she keeps me hoppin'.

I love her.

I love her loud squeaky voice. I love how she sings at the top of her lungs during sacrament meeting hymns. I love the way she runs around the house with her arms in the air yelling "HUGS"! I can't get enough of her dancing, and it is sweetly satisfying to hear "tank oo mommy" as I help her throughout the day!

Emmy Boo..you are the best!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Messy House, Bouncy Chair, Wounded Toe, Brain Damage and a Near Death Experience!

I feel like my house is beginning to resemble a junk yard (not a good thing). There are constantly piles of toys, paper, diapers, dishes and other miscellaneous items to trip on. Oh the insanity! It is time for a serious cleaning.

Yesterday I practically broke my toe (slight exaggeration!!) I laid Adeline down to assist Emilee with something....I don't really remember. Adeline became disgruntled and began to beg for my attention with a loud wail. As I hurried back to her side I caught my toe on her bouncy chair. The same bouncy chair that always seems to be awkwardly under foot!! I hopped around in pain for a second then proceeded to console my heartbroken infant.

Hours later I begin to notice an uncomfortable cramp in my toes! What is wrong with my toes? I wondered. What have I done to my toes? They are killing me!! Oh my goodness my toe is purple...what on earth happened? I complain to Tyler and he asks me if I've hit my toe on anything. Not that I can remember!!

Wow!! What is happening to my memory. I'm only in my 30's for heaven's sake!! I need my mind. I need it to last me another 50 or 60 years. Should I be worried?

Finally, while trying to drift off to sleep sometime late in the night, I remembered what happened to my toe!! I blurt it out randomly in the dark!

Me: I hit it on the bouncy chair...my toe, I stubbed it on the bouncy chair!

Tyler: Oh yeah, I almost killed myself today tripping on that dang bouncy chair.

Me: I'm sorry! ..........I love you.

Tyler: I love you too.

Me: snore.

I think the conversation went something like that, but to be completely honest.....I don't really remember.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

My Girl


There are three important things I've observed in this photo:

1-I need to get my eyebrows waxed!
2-I need to clean out Adeline's nose
3-I love this baby girl with all of the love a mother could ever hold in one little heart!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Sugar Booger


I often call Emilee and Adeline my sugar babies! I don't know how it started, but it is a term of endearment, and honestly my addiction to their sweetness rivals that of my addiction to chocolate cake donuts.....so it fits.

This week there has been a change, a slight variation if you will. Last night, as I was wiping Addy's nose for the fiftieth time, I called her my little sugar booger! Tyler quickly informed me that any term of endearment involving phlegm, wasn't really that endearing!

Honestly though....we have gone through a gazillion tissues this week, plies of used ones forming on every corner! I'm praying the constant drip will end soon and my babies will be able to breath again!!

Turkey Love


I have to be honest. I haven't really anticipated the annual Thanksgiving Turkey dinner with much excitement over the years. I would actually have been happier with a Thanksgiving Cheeseburger or Thanksgiving ham and cheese sandwich for that matter. Turkey is okay, but I just couldn't figure out what all the hullabaloo was about until this beauty (pictured above) came into my life!

A few years ago Tyler and I discovered a recipe for, in my opinion, the greatest Thanksgiving Turkey known to man! Let's just say it involves butter, sage, bacon and maple syrup, and when done properly can propel you into dimensions unknown!! Tyler is an awesome husband. Period. But, he is also my hero when it comes to culinary feats, and every year he tenderly and patiently works his magic......until voila! Perfection is achieved!!

Oh the juiciness. Oh the smokiness. Oh the maple sweetness! And the gravy, made with the drippings, with just a hint of maple.......oh my goodness!

To some I may be overdoing it with my ode to the perfect turkey, but it feels good to be joining in the anticipation of the time honored tradition! I seriously can't wait!

If you want the recipe, go here.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

To all the Queens out there!


I live in a palace of paper and lace.
Walls smudged with finger prints,
things out of place.

Halls filled with music, and laughter and noise.
Dress-up parades,
and tripping on toys.

I chit-chat with princesses,
dance and we twirl!
While ruling my kingdom,
my days are a whirl.

Who am I, you ask,
and whose company keep?
My title so noble,
and guests so elite?

I am a tutor
to Heaven's supreme!
I am a Mother.
I am a Queen.

***

Michelle Iverson
November 2009

Monday, November 16, 2009

There is beauty all around....


When there's LOVE at home!

Thank you my love.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

So much to teach you!




Emilee likes to carry a small "Articles of Faith" card around with her. She likes it because it has a picture of Jesus......and kids (as she says). It is all bent up and crinkled, but she still totes it around and occasionally points to the picture and says "Jesus". It is really sweet!

The other day she was trying to show her special card to Adeline. It was a good discussion. Emmy teaching and Addy listening with the occasional coo or grunt of understanding.

So cute!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Practicing Patience


I have been praying...PRAYING...that the Lord will grant me patience! I don't want to feel so frustrated in my heart, and I especially don't want to be short with my sweet husband and my precious babies.....therefore....... I need patience!

This morning, with Emilee bouncing all over me, (because I finally asked Tyler to get her up after listening to her bawl and yell for an hour and a half, because we wouldn't get her up at 5:30 a.m. because it is just too dang early, and quite frankly she needs more sleep)......I had a thought!

Patience is like any other skill or talent. If you want to get good at it, you MUST practice!

There are some prayer requests that can be granted immediately. I guess patience, at least in my case, is not one of them. So, as I lay there completely exhausted.....with self pity, and waves of frustration crashing over me....I finally allowed LOVE to enter my heart. I looked at Emilee and chose love. My mood shifted and I took her into my arms and snuggled her. I listened to her jabber on and on, and asked her several times to put daddy's earplug back on the night stand, and some how I was able to speak in a soft and gentle tone with my "slow to obedience" sweet little daughter. When she finally put the earplug back, I praised her and thanked her and snuggled her some more.

It was a good practice! And I was given a measure of patience.

The happy feelings lasted for about a half an hour until she started whining and bawling in her high chair for something she had to have, but I couldn't understand and was unable to give her. ARGGGH!

Deep breath.

It looks like my prayers are being answered! Thankfully, my girls will provide me with a lot of opportunities for practice.

Wish me luck!

Blessings






Adeline was blessed by her Father this weekend! It was such a beautiful day! Afterward, we shared a simple lunch at my in-laws house. I felt so happy, being surrounded with family. There was such a feeling of love. We are so blessed!

Halloween 2009



Trick-or-treating isn't a big deal out here, which is okay, because we don't really need all the tempting chocolate treats around the house. They are so hard for me to resist!!

We did dress the girls up and take them to see family!! Emilee was a fairy princess and Adeline was a tiny ballerina (with extra large ballet slippers). Too cute!

Friday, October 30, 2009

Movie Buff


During my pregnancy with Adeline, Emilee discovered the magical world of Disney, Pixar etc. Almost every morning we would pop a movie into the DVD player to entertain while I caught a little more rest. It became the expectation, and we could not disappoint.

Shortly before Adeline was born, we went to Orem to pick up our new van! Yes, we are van people now. Our van is nice, it fits all of our stuff and more, and the best part.....it has a DVD player!! I thought this would be a nice way to keep Emmy and Addy happy during our road trips. I was right! That night we made our stop at Wal-mart and bought a new movie to break in our new DVD player. It was getting late as we set off for home, so we stopped at Wendy's on our way out for a late supper. The movie started, Emilee was delighted, and we were on our way! Tyler and I were talking and eating our dinner, when I hear a loud voice from the back. "Mama! Mama!" "Yes my love"......I look back to see what she needs. Without taking her eyes off of the screen she points to the front, then points to her open mouth!! She refused to pull herself away from the movie, resorting to sign language, of sorts, to communicate her need for food!! It was hilarious! I passed back a couple of chicken nuggets, which she grabbed and ate without missing a single moment of her movie.

Hmmm. I don't know if this the healthiest thing we've introduced to our children. (I'm referring to the movie obsession, but the fast food qualifies too) Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

No Place Like Home


I love "The Wizard of Oz"!

Growing up, I would always look forward to the annual television broadcast! I would watch in wonder as Dorthy would brave her way through the storm and dreamily sing of a land beyond the rainbow. The story spoke to my childlike imagination, and no child can deny the awesomeness of stepping out of a black and white world, and into a magical land of color!

Though I enjoyed the story and adventure, I didn't really understand the message of the story!

You see, I have had a certain tendency to live somewhere other than the present. For most of my life, I have either been stuck in the past, or anticipating, and sometimes worrying about the future. This has made it really hard for me to enjoy what is actually, presently, going on in my life. I have always felt like I WOULD be happier if this or that had not happened or I WILL be happier when such and such finally happens. This way of thinking left me grasping for happiness "somewhere over the rainbow" so to speak. Fortunately the last couple of years I have learned some important things about this life:

#1 Life is what we make it! We can create the life we desire by focusing our thoughts and energy on what we want. Not on what we don't want. Life is too short to worry so much!! Just be grateful for what you have in this moment and trust that God will provide. It requires faith and a good attitude, but we can create the life of our dreams!

#2 Life is all about love! I am learning that the entire purpose of everything we do in this life is to teach us how to love. It doesn't seem that way when we look around us and see so much contention, judgement, intolerance and defensiveness. We need to remember that there is only one enemy, and he is the antithesis of love. He seeks to destroy relationships, so don't let him convince you that anyone else is an enemy. Let the grudges go, and don't let yourself be offended so easily. Choose to love everyone around you. If we don't learn this....we have entirely missed the boat.

#3 Life should be a constant demonstration of gratitude! The Lord gives us everything we have! Even if we don't have all we desire, we must acknowledge that all we have comes from him! Show gratitude in the way you speak. In the way you treat yourself and others, and show gratitude in the way you take care of the things you have! We often choose to participate in "complaining relationships". We like to one-up each other on how miserable or unfortunate our lives are, or we simply like the pity we receive when we have a lot to complain about. Every time I have joined in this kind of talk, I have walked away feeling empty and down. I have finally realized that I may be offending my generous Father in Heaven by speaking so negatively about my life. A life that he has clearly blessed me with! I am working really hard to break that habit. I want him to know how much I love him and appreciate every gift he gives.

For the record, I haven't perfected any of these, but the point is, I have realized that what I am looking for is right inside of me! I have the power, because of the atonement, to choose what my experience will be. When weakness rears it's familiar head, I can calmly say....tomorrow will be better. I have the hope that it will be.

In the end, when Dorothy discovers that all she ever wanted was hidden in her ordinary life, she longs to go home to the people who love and cherish her. She finally realizes that happiness isn't found anywhere outside of ourselves. I love the message.....There's no place like home!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Remember that Hurricane I mentioned?


There she blows!

Baby Blues


The first couple of weeks after Adeline was born, I'm pretty sure I came down with a case of the baby blues. I felt totally overwhelmed, and almost panicky inside. I felt like I didn't know how to handle my new life as a mother of two. It scared me that I was feeling so down and discouraged, and as much as I loved Adeline, I really missed my old life. I even daydreamed about the days when there were NO children to tend to, and I could sleep when I wanted to. Oh wow.....to be able to sleep.....that seems so foreign now.

During that time I was laying on my bed one afternoon, when something changed. There was a whisper. That kind that speaks to your heart, and it came with a very timely reminder......This is what you have always wanted Michelle. Your old life was okay, but look at yourself now!! You are becoming something greater, and something greater always means pushing beyond your comfort zone. You are not alone. Allow things that are hard to humble you and you will come out of this experience even more capable and full of love.

Okay.

I made a choice to pull out of it (that, and my hormones started to level out again...thank goodness)!

A few days ago I was looking through some recent photos. I found this one of Emilee on a walk we took with her new hat (she loves her new hat), and the thing that struck me......were those beautiful baby blues!!

It is true....this IS what I have always wanted.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Magic


I don't know if I really believe in magic. At least not the abra-cadabra kind of magic. I do, however; believe that there is something magical about life. The creating of it and the living of it!

I had an enchanted childhood, due in major part to my huge imagination! There wasn't anything I couldn't create in my mind. Hours of adventure were invented and acted out day after day and I am SO grateful that I was allowed to enjoy the precious years of childhood. I still remember the day I realized that it was time to grow up. Somewhere in my heart, I knew it was no longer appropriate to pretend. How sad. Why is that? Why do we become too old to pretend? Is it because we start to reach an age where we have more power to REALLY create? We have the ability to use our creative power to manifest the actual life we desire! We do have that power you know. Our Heavenly Father has allowed us, through faith and agency, to create the life we desire. How exciting!

I have co-created a warm home, two beautiful children, and a strong, loving, meaningful marriage!

As I step back and take a good look at my life now.....I can still feel the magic!

Introducing Adeline



Adeline Mae Iverson was born September 13, 2009! It was a hard quick labor, and before I knew it, I was smiling again! I held my fresh from heaven bundle, and silently thanked my Heavenly Father that all was well.

What a miracle.

Welcome to the world Adeline Mae!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Again


I love it!

Some days I wonder if it will send me to the crazy house, but I can't deny that I love it. Our house has been hit by hurricane Emilee, leaving an overwhelming pile of debris in her wake and I honestly don't have it in me to keep up. Not right now.

I am a mother....again!

What does that mean? It means I'm living in a blur of sleepy delirium. My delirium, is however; a beautiful delirium! My days are spent juggling my girls. Their needs, their emotions, their undying need for attention and love!

I got myself into something good.

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Love Him!


Tyler and I have an incredible love story! It includes all of the drama and breath-taking anticipation of any good chick flick, and in the end.....the boy got the girl, or the girl got the boy!! Which ever way it goes, we got each other, and I thank the Lord for my wonderful loving Tyler. He makes me feel safe, loved and valued. And....he makes me laugh! I love you babe!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Evidence


I usually try to take my shower while Emilee is asleep or while she is watching her favorite movie "Nemo"! However, once in a while she follows me to the bathroom and waits outside the shower giving me the occasional peek through the curtain, dancing around with shower sprinkles all over her face and all over the floor!

On one of these occasions, I pulled back the curtain and found that she had lined the bath tub with every shoe in her closet. It immediately put a smile on my face. There it was....the evidence that she had been there, busily racing back and forth, hands and arms full of shoes, carefully lining them up, then hurrying off to do it all again!! I could just see it playing out in my mind. It was, of course, also evidence of what my life has become!! I really am a mommy! I really do hear the pitter-patter of little feet in my home, and I really do get smothered with juicy baby kisses on a daily basis! I don't care if it is sappy....I love my life!! There are certainly moments when I think...Wow! I don't know if I can go on feeling this tired and overwhelmed. I don't know if I am doing the right thing here....is my lack of knowledge and experience damaging my sweet daughter for good? I certainly hope not!! On the other hand, caring for Emmy fills my soul with the deepest sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. I love love love that feeling!

I realize that things are going to go up a notch on the stress level when the new baby arrives! It will be a whole new ball game trying to balance my life all over again, but I can't wait!! I can't wait to have new baby cheeks to kiss and new ears to whisper words of love and encouragement into! I thank my Father in Heaven for the evidence that surrounds me daily, reminding me of how blessed I am, and how truly capable I am of loving more than I ever imagined!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Forever and a Day!


It seems I've taken an unintentional break from my blogging the last few weeks! Life has been busy and good. We made a decision to get rid of our cable service this month so we won't spend so much time in front of the television, but now we've become addicted to the Farm Town game on Facebook! Oh, those darn weaknesses!!!

I love my life! I love being Emilee's mother and I love preparing to be a mother to our soon to be daughter! I love my incredible husband! I love being surrounded by family and feeling the closeness and love we share. I love having goals and reasons to improve myself and my home. I love knowing who I am, and that with God all things are possible!

Why then, is it so hard to stay focused on the things that really matter? The things that really really bring happiness? I don't know. There are a million answers to that question. I'm just grateful when I wake up each morning and realize I have another day to try again. There is so much to learn and so much to let go of in this life. I feel like I've been working on my weaknesses forever and a day, and still here I am addicted to one more thing that distracts me from something greater.

I need to get out of the house more and stand on more mountain tops, swim in more lakes, sit around more campfires! Those are the kind of things that make me feel alive! I want to teach my daughters to love the world we live in. For today though, I'll settle in for a good night sleep, and we'll see if I can waddle my pregnant body out for a stroll with Emmy tomorrow! I know I'll get it figured out eventually.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Rain Showers



A couple of strange things have happened this last week. First, Emilee has become deathly afraid of bath time! I am baffled by this, because up until a few days ago, she loved baths. She loved splashing in the water, chewing on the wash cloth, and relaxing in her bath chair. Since the day she was born bath time has always been a happy relaxing time for her. I can't figure out what is happening now so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know!

The second thing is the rain! I can't think of a time living out here in the desert, when it has rained and rained like this.....especially in June! Yesterday afternoon in began to pour once again, and Emilee, still in her church dress, danced and pranced around on the porch until she was completely soaked! It was cold out there, but she refused to come in. She just ran and ran and played and played! It occurred to me that one strange thing, may be the solution to another strange thing!!! Perhaps it is time to switch from baths to showers!! I'll just have her soap and towel on hand in anticipation of our daily rain shower! Perfect!

Friday, June 5, 2009

A Little Break!










So Sunday night my mom, Amber and I left the babies, husbands, and work at home and headed for Las Vegas!! It's not that Vegas is a favorite spot of ours really, we just wanted to go some where different and we wanted to try out the new Serendipity 3 at Caesar's Palace. Amber and I love the one in NYC and wanted to share the Frozen Hot Chocolate with mom!! It was quite satisfying, however, my heart still yearns for the magic of New York City, oh how I long to go back!!! Although the Frozen Hot Chocolate was delicious it just wasn't the same as being crammed into a corner of the eclectic cozy Serendipity 3 on 60th street! Sigh.

We stayed one night at the Stratosphere were we treated ourselves to a round at the oxygen bar. It was wonderful, we got to relax and enjoy massages while we inhaled oxygen to our heart's content. I felt great when it was through....I would highly recommend it!

The next night we stayed at the beautiful Bellagio. That hotel is so amazing and we spent the evening relaxing in our robes and slippers as we ate our complimentary chocolates. We spent hours wandering, shopping, stopping a the bathroom for the preggo lady (me!), and of course eating.

Our final night was spent at the Loews Resort at Lake Las Vegas!! It was beautiful!!! After a dinner and pina coladas in the "village" we returned to the hotel where we enjoyed another pina colada on the veranda, taking in the fresh air and moonlight. We spent hours talking about life, love, sorrow, family, relationships, and how we want our lives to be!! It was so nice to share that with my mom and sister. Sometimes we get too busy with life to be there for each other the way we would like to, so thank you to my sweetheart and little mini for letting me take some time away to reconnect with them.

As usual, the time went by too fast, and there are so many details I'm leaving out, but I'm so glad we made it happen!! This memory is already a cherished one. I'm definitely looking forward to next year!!