The Box

A couple days ago I received a phone call from a Sister in my ward telling me she had a box from a washing machine and asking if I wanted it. After I got over my initial 'how fast word gets around that my favorite toy is a box because it fosters creativity,' of course I jumped at the idea to have another box in my house. Why? Why would I want a huge box taking up space in my house that ill eventually have to shove into my garbage can? If you saw how Kira's eyes lit up when I set the box up in her room and asked her what it was then you wouldn't ask why. I could see her creativity start to flow as she first told me it was a cave, then a tent and now her house. We cut a door, a window and of course we couldn't forget the chimney. There is such magic in the imagination that unfolds from a simple box. It reminds me of childhood and being able to be/do anything you want to. One of my favorite books is Christina Katerina and the Box by Patricia Lee Gauch. It's a great story and tells quite a bit about why I love boxes, the only difference is that in the book the Mom HATES the box and in my childhood, my Mom imbraced it. She was the one who turned a ordinary car wash into a alien invasion. Who made sticks swords and shrubery hiding places from the 'bad guys.' Anyways, ive gotten a bit off track...I do LOVE boxes! Thanks for the box, the girls love it!

**Disclaimer, I have no pictures because my camera broke and we need to wait until bonus to get a new one*** (only 8 days left :)

Precious Moments

With Kira, Lizzy and Anna in bed, its just been Rora and I for the last 30 minutes. I love the time I get to spend one on one with my children. There is something so profound in the simplicity of the moment and living it to the fullest. Even if we are only playing hand games with her babies.
After about 15 minutes of play, Rora brought me the book my Mom wrote about her life. She handed it to me and climbed in my lap. She the pointed to the picture on the cover and said, "Ama, ama." I read the book to her and she pointed out on every page the pictures of her Grandma, she kept going back to her baby picture and giggling. (It's a naked baby picture ;)
Rora didn't know that I was missing my Mom when I woke up, yet she could sense it. I firmly believe that she has a connection with her Grandma. It's more than them sharing the same name (Laurel), it's much deeper than that. As if Rora has that extra connection to help me get through these last 7 months and continue through the rest of my life.
Thanks to the Lord for giving me that extra something I did't think to ask for in my child. She is such a sweet girl!

I will be so glad when Rora is done teething!

As the title of this post suggests, Rora is teething. Horribly! In 3 days last week she had one tooth on the bottom front come in and one molar. On top of that a eruption hematoma has formed. If you don't know what that is, neither did I. It's where the gum gets stretched so thin that the blood vessels pop causing a bruise under the gum. It's horrible. Poor Rora has had this now for over a week. She has a hard time eating anything on that side of her mouth and is in so much pain. I can't wait for her to feel better! Poor, poor baby! Yet even with the pain in her mouth she is still the sweetest most adorable girl around...of course, I can't wait until she is sweeter, more adorable because she is happy! Plus, she will have more teeth and will be able to chew food properly! YAY! Thats about it for now, we are just trying to get through the next (hopefully) week and get her feeling better. Wish her (ok, ME really) luck!

It used to be more than double the size it is now!

Kira's talk

Next Sunday Kira is giving the talk in primary. I told her the 'theme' (I know the scriptures are true) and asked her what she wanted to say. She told me and I wrote it down. I have to say, she did a pretty good job! Especially since she is only 4!

Joseph Smith read in the scriptures, “If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God.” So he went out to the woods and he prayed and Heavenly Father and Jesus came down from Heaven and told Joseph Smith that he shouldn’t join any church. Later the Angel Moroni came to see him at night by his bed and told him about the Book of Mormon and where to find it. Joseph Smith had to wait 4 years until he could get the Golden Plates and then he translated them so we can all read them and now we have the Book of Mormon. And we can all read the scriptures. Joseph Smith is a good example to me. I want to be like him and find answers in the scriptures. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

I know she will do great when she shares it next week. Great job Kira!!

Aurora is 1!!

The last year (and 3 weeks...) has flown by. It seems only yesterday I was rejoicing knowing that she was inside my womb. Yet here she is, one year old. She is such an amazing little person. With such a personality!
She is determined, strong willed, loving and caring. She started walking at 10 months and hasn't stopped. Her latest achievement has been saying, "mama" and blowing kisses (smacking sound and all!) She 'dances' by doing a squat bounce.
She loves to learn and is excelling at sign language. She can sign love, chocolate, more, shoes, please, eat, water, nurse, spaghetti, Mom, Dad, what, bye and a few I can't think of.
She loves her baby doll and kisses and loves on her. She worries when she cries and consoles her.
Her favorite places in our house are sissy's room (because it's off limits ;) and the empty cupboard in the kitchen. She hides toys, snacks, bottles and herself in daily. She likes to drive her new car she got for her birthday over to the cupboard and then hide. I love seeing the beginning of her imagination poke through.


Rora still likes to be wrapped in the Mai Tei and is content if I tote her everywhere I go. She is learning to clean up and her favorite chore is throwing stuff away. Were working on only throwing garbage away ;)
Yep, I have a pretty amazing baby! I am such a blessed Mother. I can't wait to see what the next year holds for her. Happy Birthday Aurora!

Aurora's journey to joining our family...

Last month Aurora turned 1! I can't believe she is already a year old. Where did the time go? It seems as if ive known her forever and yet I still feel the ache I felt for the years we were trying for her.
A little over 4 years ago my sweet princess Akira was born. Within months of having her I felt the longing for Aurora. Her spirit is so strong and I knew that she was ment to be in our family. When Kira was 8 months old we 'officially' started trying to get pregnant. I thought for sure that my kids would be no more than 2 years apart. Of course not. I had to stretch myself to the Lord's timing and rely on him. There were so many nights when I cried myself to sleep. I could feel her so close and yet it felt as if my body was failing both myself and the Lord because I couldn't bring her here.
We decided to try fertility medication and I was put on clomid. The reaction was crazy. My mood swings were so intense. As each cycle ended I went into a mini depression, feeling as if somehow I had failed. We were trying one last time. We had an adoption agency chosen to go through and were giving it one final try. That's the month I was blessed with Aurora in my womb. I found out 3 days before mothers day that I was pregnant. Looking back, I am still filled with such gratitude that I was able to concieve and carry her. Sometimes you never know how grateful you are for things until you don't have them.
Because of that, my outlook on pregnancy changed. Yes, I was SICK! Yes, I had pains, Yet everytime I threw up I praised God that I had a healthy baby growing inside me. Nothing I went through was worse than knowing that she was waiting to join our family and being unable to make that happen.
December 29, 2009 I was able to hold her in my arms and look into her eyes and know that she was mine. That everything I had been through the last 3 years had led up to this moment. I had known her before I was able to concieve and knew the minute I saw her that she had been as anxious as I was to join our family.
Every moment with her is extra special because of the trial of getting her. Every sleepless night I praise the Lord. I couldn't have it any other way.
Aurora Laurel has made me a better Mom, a better person and most importantly, a more grateful daughter of God.

The rest of our trip to Utah...

Christmas day was great in its own way. It was so different to be away from Josh on Christmas day. We spent the morning lounging around and enjoying a phone call with Tanner! My Dad was so excited for everyone to come over and open presents.
When Christmas evening came we had a great family dinner(even Dustin's couscous squash was pretty good ;) Finally after dinner it was time for presents. Dad gave such amazing and thoughtful gifts this year. All the grand kids got marshmallow shooters, which commenced with a 30 minute marshmallow fight before we could finish presents. ;)

Along with all our great gifts, Dad made everyone a walking stick with sticks that he and Mom had found on their last trip up the mountain. What a keepsake! They turned out beautifully and I love mine!

Christmas day was wonderful, we enjoyed the nativity, orange story and hanging out with the family!

Sunday was another busy but great day. Alicia hosts a Ladies Tea every year and it was so much fun! It's so nice to be able to get together with all the lovely ladies...especially when I am not hosting! Thanks Nelli for such a great afternoon!

That evening we had a birthday party for Rora...that's right, shes ONE! The highlight of her party was when she ate her cake. Grandpa Tim let her feed him cake off her fingers...what a great grandpa! She was so sweet to share her birthday cake with him. Even Grandma Lisa took a bite from her! Brave, brave people. For the record, I would NEVER eat mashed cake from my babies fingers...but what a memory!

The rest of our vacation we tried to relax and just enjoy our time with our family. Kira and Kenzie are the best of friends and have such a great time together!

Even our trip home was pretty good. We had a 2 1/2 hour layover in Denver and after a yummy pizza dinner the girls enjoyed two hours of running on the walking escalator(not sure the name) one side wasn't running so the girls walked on the side that was running and while Rora walked back on the out of order one, Kira ran back on the moving one. I couldn't believe how entertaining it was for them!(Sorry no picture.) Plus they both napped on the flight since they had spent 2 hours running around.

We were so grateful to be home and see Daddy! After 10 days away, home was such a welcome sight!