Happy Birthday Tom!

I love you babe!

Patience

I wanted to write this down so I don't forget it. Last night, Desi, Charly and I were leaving the store and I had been fighting with Desi to stay by me in the store the whole time. We were getting in the truck and she would not get in her seat and put her seat belt on. I said to her "I'm losing my patience." To which she replied, "Where is it Mama?" and started looking around. I couldn't help but laugh as she kept looking around the back of the truck on the floor and asking me "Where's your patience mama?" I swear she knows when I'm about to lose it because she then will give me a kiss or say "Guess what Mama? I love you."
She loves posing for pictures so I found a little camera at WalMart the other day for her birthday and she walked around the store taking pictures of everyone. She tries to close one eye when she takes the picture and she tells you to say "cheese", it's so cute! She also got a tea set for her birthday. I pulled it out of the box and set it up for her on the table putting the pink cups on the blue plates and the blue cups on the pink plates to see what she would do(knowing she has to match everything) and sure enough she switched it around and told me pink goes on pink and blue goes on blue. So of course when I mixed the spoons in the wrong colored cups I got in trouble. You also can't call her nick names or she gets mad. I'll say come on "choppy" and she'll say "I not choppy, I Desi."
Charly is getting so fast! She isn't walking by herself yet but I would bet it will be soon. She laughs sometimes for Tom and me but she thinks Desi is so funny. If Desi has a friend over and they are playing in Desi's room, Charly wants right in the middle of it. She will push her way onto my lap if Desi is sitting on it and definitely knows how to get my attention by crying if Desi takes something from her or just touches her. She has four top teeth and two bottom teeth and loves to give cheesy grins with her nose scrunched. She's also been trying to "roar" at us like we do to her when we chase her. I would've never imagined I could love two little girls so much!
P. S. For those of you who don't know, Tom got the job at I don't want to post on my blog but I think most of you know where!!!!!!! Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so proud of him and all of his hard work!

Dad

I've been thinking about and missing my father-in-law the last few days, mostly because of General Conference coming up. Tom would always go with his Dad to the Priesthood session and I guess the void is more apparent now that he doesn't have someone to go with. I know, I know, he can go with any of his brother-in-laws or his friends in the ward but it's not going to be the same. Most people have a tradition to go with their sons, dads or brothers and Tom doesn't have any of those. I only hope that one day he will have a son to take and they can carry on the tradition that he had with his Dad. I know it was special to Tom and I miss the things that could have been.

The Good Wife

I've recently been pondering what it really means to be a good wife. I'm curious as to what everyone else thinks, so please comment and tell me, what is your definition of a good wife? What responsibilities does a good wife take care of? What little extras does a good wife do for her husband? I'm looking specifically for wife duties not mother duties, even though I know they can be intertwined.

On another note, has anyone seen The Box with Cameron Diaz? It's the movie about pushing a button and when you do someone dies but the person pushing it gets one million dollars. Can someone please explain it to me? I'm so confused!

Just Some Notes

Since I'm writing this blog to remember things I've got to recap the last 15 months:

• we sold our house and moved in with my Mom and Dad
• we bought and moved into a new house
  
• my mom got breast cancer
  
• Tom had a colonoscopy
  
• I had a baby girl, who was in the NICU for a few days
  
• my brother, Brian, came home from Iraq
  
• Desi turned 2!
  
• my brother, Daniel, left for Afghanistan
  
• Tom turned 30!
• Tom had his fatty tumors removed
  
• I turned 26!
  
• my sweet father-in-law passed away
• my mom had a hysterectomy
• Tom & I celebrated our 5th anniversary
  
• my sister, Kristina, had a baby girl
• my sister-in-law, Erin, had twin boys (Jack was in the NICU for 12 days)
  
• my aunt passed away
• and now I have a child with RSV and both of them with double ear infections but it could be worse! (We're thinking and praying for Josh (& now Jack) who are at the hospital with RSV!)
• amidst all of this, Tom has survived layoffs at work and going back to school and I survived a few months of postpartum!
• Each day I'm so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends that love and support us!
  

A Perfect Angel

Dayna Hannah Davis

March 12, 2002

I couldn't let this special day pass without giving tribute to my beautiful, sister-in-law Liz and the wonderful woman that she is! When I found this I thought of Dayna...

Once upon a special day in Heaven up above, The tiniest souls sat at God's feet, surrounded by his love. The time was coming, very soon, God said, do not be scared. Your family awaits your arrival, now let us get prepared. And so God looked upon these souls, in mute consideration. He knew the life each one would live, He weighed each situation.

The souls chatted amongst themselves, and wondered who they'd be. They knew the day grew closer; soon, they'd meet their family. How would you like to change the world? God asked each soul in fun. The chance to change a soul, a heart, is held by only one. I'm going to make the world laugh, one soul said with a smile, for laughter heals a broken heart, and helps us through each trial. Then take with you the brightest smile, and share your laughter well. The soul thanked God immensely, and down to earth he fell.

And I'll remind the world to sing, a sweet little soul told the Lord. I have the gift of a beautiful voice; I can hit every note and every chord. You’ll have the gift of music then, a voice, lovely and strong. Share your gift with others, and let them hear your song. I will show compassion, the next little soul raised her hand. Some people only need a friend, someone to understand. Compassion is a good thing, God said with much delight. To you, I will give mercy. You'll perceive wrong from right. And so each soul shared every thought, their plans, their hopes, their dreams. And God explained that life, it is, much harder than it seems. And as each soul began to leave in a scurry of laughter and fun.

Heaven became quiet and still, for left was only one. Come sit with me my little child, God said with just a sigh. Do you know how many you will touch, in a world left wondering why? Before your life comes to an end, you will know much strife, but you'll teach those who know you, to cherish the smallest things in life. And some may only know you through a simple photograph, they'll never hold you in their arms, or memorize your laugh. Some may only know you through the words they read each day, but you'll do something wonderful, you'll make them stop and pray. The tiniest soul raised her head up, to touch God's firm, strong hand. Father, I am ready for, the life that you have planned. And I will do the best I can without a word or deed. For you Lord, are the planter, and I will be your seed. She could already hear many praying, and although they had not seen her face, they were praying for her safe arrival, they were asking for mercy and grace. What talent do I leave with Lord? What gift do you impart? All that you will need, God said, I've placed within your heart. And so God kissed this tiny child, knowing all that she would be, and whispered as he watched her go...You'll teach them . . . to love me.

- Author Unknown