8/23//

our relief society presidency spoke in sacrament on home and marriage. in a time where mothers are seemingly unimportant in our society, i believe that we make the most difference in our homes. and while it may seem undemanding from the outside, a mom knows she must be skilled in medicine, education, nutrition, enviornmental services, multitasking, the list goes on. i'm grateful for the privilege to raise my sweet children.

and in relief society, i was reminded by sweet sisters that nobody is perfect. or have perfect testimonies or are perfect moms. we're all just trying our best, and sometimes we feel close to God, but sometimes we're angry with Him or pull away from Him. and that's okay, too. because He will still love us just the same. (another parallel i realized to be true since becoming a mother.)

8/16//

i'm not going to lie, this sunday was hard. jeremy was driving home from his "camping trip" and i got the girls ready and on time to church. amelia needed to use the potty. scarlett needed to nurse. amelia was thirsty. scarlett threw a tantrum. oh man, i'm not sure i heard anything...  except i know our stake patriarch spoke and brian brown from the the high council spoke on fasting. (and how we should be lax on this subject. we aren't perfect people, but we can become perfect in keeping the commandments).

anyway, i went home after sacrament and took a nap. bah.

8/9//

elder alder spoke on the family-- the center of our gospel. in these times, where we are often questioned on which side of history we stand, my testimony shakes. this family and this gospel is so sacred to me, so i choose not to place it where it can be torn down. it breaks my heart to know that trials are so difficult for some, and i do know all the answers of this world. but i hope to continue to provide a place of love and nurture for my children, as it is my calling and responsibility.

also, i subbed in nursery this day. #never again

8/2//

the sister i visit teach is the new relief society president! i loved her lesson today-- it combined four conference talks and reminded us to focus on our final destination + to remember that nothing is by coincidence, but divine preparation. I loved this message. I wish so badly that I knew where I was going when I was in high school... I wish someone would have shared with me what I know now. But, the older I get, the more I realize that "it's all in the Lord's timing" and it'll all be okay.

scarlett: 7 months old

This girl has her two bottom teeth. She happily eats avocados, carrots, broccoli, and we just started strawberries. She eats three meals a day and in large quantities; I'm always wondering if she's going to puke. Like, she eats 4 baby carrots, a quarter of an avocado, a handful of cheerios, and still nurses after! It's crazy! Nurses about 6-7 times a day (plus her sometimes 2 night feedings). I can definitely tell she's weaned herself since solids. I'm guessing she weighs ~16 pounds. Does not take a bottle, so we'll probably have to donate tons of milk to the NICU...

Still has a strict 8 pm bedtime, has dropped her 11 pm feeding, but varies on whether she'll call for her 2 am and 5 am feedings/comfort. Luckily she goes right back to sleeping until about 6:30. Takes 2-3 naps a day, ranging from 30-60 minutes.

Rolling and scooting, so close to crawling, but not quite there yet. Should probably move up to size 3 diapers with that bodacious booty, but we're finishing up our box of size 2's. 6 month clothes are starting to fit snugly. Everyone has been commenting on her hair coming in this month, and they say it looks lighter than Amelia's. Blows her lips constantly and will yell if a toy is taken away from her. Will stare strangers down until they make contact to give them the biggest gummy grin ever. Loves to smile with her tongue. Becoming less vary of other people holding her. Still lets us know how much she despises her car seat. Is so curious about how the world works. Turns when her name is called and waves when he's happy and leads when music is playing.

Loves her daddy and always stares and smiles when he's around.
Loves to play with anything her sister has: blocks, trucks, babies, play food, etc.
Loves songs, walks, when mama makes an evil cackle, balancing in the air with dad, and "row your boat" with Amelia.

It is my absolute favorite when she falls asleep on me and lets me kiss her chubby checks. Or when she falls asleep while nursing, but still holds on to my finger (and my heart).

We love you, Scarlett Anne! Can't believe you're closer to being a one year old than a newborn babe now!

Amelia loves to call her sister, "Scarlett Anne!" or "Scarlett Macaw" (we met one at the aquarium and thought it was the cutest nickname and it sort of stuck!) These two tattle on each other all day long and sometimes that's a recipe for pure exhaustion. But some days are pure magic, and I'm grateful I get to watch their relationship. I'm hoping and betting it just gets better and better as they grow.

7/26//

(scarlett is staring at amelia yelling, "cheeeeeeeeese!")

ethan moore gave his farewell today, and it was incredibly powerful and mature for an 18 year old. but knowing his parents, it was understandable. i was inspired to find the light (our savior) in the midst of darkness (mortal life).

pie-n-cheer day

  (jeremy + scarlett making the same face)

i love peterson's family farm and the events they host. i thought the name of this event was hilarious and perfectly family friendly. amelia participated in the games... got a little frustrated with the bean bag toss and stepped right up to it to drop her bean bag in, was so cute jumping in her sack bag and thought i was the most hilarious person ever, dunked farmer luke by pressing the target, loved petting the baby goats + the wagon ride (amelia kept telling me it wasn't a wagon ride, it was a tractor ride). we skipped out on waffle luv (i know...) to have lunch and naptime, but i would still call the whole morning a success!

xo