Getting so big!

I have had these jammies in Bailee's closet thinking they are still way too big. Since all of her other warm jammies are dirty, I was planning to just put these on but they fit her! How can my baby be a 2T! She has also been saying prayers at random times and I will post a video soon :) As trying as this age can be sometimes, I think it is also the very best because of how much is absorbed and understood :) it is fun to watch the changes and rapid growth!

Today I am grateful!

Kid friendly carts at the grocery store are such a wonderful thing! I went to 2 grocery stores today (only because they are right next to each other so I might as well shop both sales) and both made the outing 100 times better than previous visits. I don't know why I haven't thought to look for these carts before but it made me enjoy taking Bailee to the store... Honestly for the first time I think! Usually Dave and I both have to go or leave Bailee home with the other because she is so curious and wants to "help" shop which makes it hard to get in and out in a timely manner. It was just wonderful and I had to share :) and I tried getting her to look at me in the pic but the sun was right on her both times...

This was what I needed to read today...

“As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think of your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey.”
― Marjorie Pay Hinckley

A quick post...

We are slowly getting settled and Loving this area! We have had a few set backs with our apartment that have added some extra work on our part as well as maintenance but the problems are gradually being taken care of and we are feeling more at home here :) I will post more pictures soon, but I had to share this one... A wonderful leader and friend from my home branch gave me a beautiful gift of 3 plates with sweet and simple messages and this one is my favorite! I love the simple reminder that has a perfect spot in our new home so I can see it daily :) we have felt so blessed through this process of moving and are excited for the adventures to come here in Tennessee :)

OMSI

We went to a science museum in Portland today called OMSI. We went in April of this year and loved it then so we were excited to go again! They have something for all ages and when we were there in April, Bailee loved the baby area. This time, she was able to do so much more and just loved going from one activity to the next. Her favorite were the sand and water areas. She could have stayed there all day if we let her! In fact, when it was time to go, it was more because of the adults being ready for naps! Some of her cousins were able to go as well which was fun to see her play with them :) I love that we can go there and the mess stays when we leave and Bailee has been stimulated and has experienced new activities. It was also fun for us to be there because there is such a wide range of exhibits. Last time was a Lego exhibit and this time it was grossology. Bailee loved the digestive system slide and tunnel and pushing the fart buttons :) my favorite thing this time was a 3D globe that displays current satellite footage of the world. On that globe there are little yellow marks that move all around and account for all commercial planes in the sky at the time you are looking at it. It was amazing to see how many people were flying around noon today! China was pretty much a yellow blob with all of the flights in and out of what we assumed was hong kong. Another area that was extremely busy was the east coast and I was not surprised by the flights to and from Hawaii at this time of year. Blake pointed out how looking at the globe made him think of how quickly sickness and disease can travel globally so quickly from air travel. I am a visual learner so it really gave me some great perspective! We have decided that OMSI will have to be a regular event when we visit because we love it so much :)

Nickel arcade

Dave, his sister Michelle, her hubby Blake, and I went to a nickel arcade in Portland today. Dave and I do not take the time to date as much as we should so it was so wonderful when his mom offered to watch Bailee so we could get out. The games took me back to my childhood and I felt like a kid again. We had a similar date in Rexburg right after Bailee was born and I must say those kind are my favorite! If I have a choice I take activities like this over a fancy dinner or a movie. The best dates are cheap but loaded with fun and interaction, to me :) I love the game where you roll a ball up a ramp and try to get points based on the hole it lands in. I could seriously play that over and over and over! While playing it, my machine had a bit of a malfunction and spewed out loads of tickets!!! I was worried it wouldn't stop! A little boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old, next to me stopped his game and kept saying to his mom "whoa! I like that machine!" He wanted to play after me thinking that he would get a similar outcome of tickets. Once it stopped, I had so many tickets and decided to share a very generous amount with the little boy. He was so appreciative and cute and I knew he would enjoy the prizes more than me. I felt so good after that and was grateful I was able to make him so happy :) I must also add that I beat Dave at one game of air hockey as well as a racing game. It is a pretty big deal for me to beat him at just about anything so I was pretty pleased :) we kept Bailee in mind when choosing prizes at the end and she was so excited when we brought them back to her. She was most antsy and...demanding.. Of the slinky we picked out. It was cute to see Dave holding it and Bailee was blabbering on and on reaching to try and get it from him because she just wanted it so badly. In all it was a fun outing and good time to spend with Blake and Michelle too. I hope that place stays around for a while so we can go when we visit again and when our kids would appreciate it!

Christmas!!!

This Christmas season has been so wonderful as we have been able to spend time with both of our families. We had events planned before knowing of our move and we are so grateful for family and this time we are able to be together. We are in Washington right now and have enjoyed our time here as well as enjoying the rainy cozy weather that we haven't had very much of at home. Bailee has had goopy eyes since yesterday, fell and got a bloody nose, and had her fingers accidentally smashed in a door today but she keeps her happy spirit and to us they are memories to remember. She loves opening the presents and has been eager to help others with theirs as well :) I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have of eternal families and the plan of happiness. As I have gotten older, although still loving gifts, I have enjoyed the spiritual remembrance of my Savior and having time with family even more :) we have continued the tradition of new pjs and I think that is my very favorite one. There is something so comfy about new jammies! I feel so blessed and loved and look forward to a new year of changes for our family :)