NO REGRETS

Looking back over the past several years I started to realize how antsy I always was to be done with the "part" of my life I was in....for instance, graduating from highschool so I could move out and do the college scene.....getting married so I didn't have to deal with the drama and heartaches of dating....graduating from college so I wouldn't be bogged down by studying, and actually get paid for my hard work... going back to the somewhat carefree days of hygiene school so I wasn't stressed about providing for my family... looking ahead and wanting 9 months of pregnancy to be over with (even though I couldn't really complain about my pregnancy) so I could stay at home with a baby... (However, I was always grateful to have a career and be able to help support our family while Brett was still in school). Sometimes I regret that I didn't live more "in the moment" and enjoy each day for what it meant to my journey.

I have to say that after Emri was born it was really hard and weird for me to be at home 24/7. I almost felt guilty for being home all day and not out making money for our family. After working full time for a few years I had really gotten into a routine....I liked it, though I admit I didn't always love it and sometimes wished for other things. When Emri was 11 weeks I started back to work part time....many of you may remember THIS DAY!

Fast forward 6 months....After lots of contemplating, prayers, and consideration I feel like right now, the best thing for our family is for me to be a full time momma. Brett has been such a wonderful hubby and wanted me to stay home from the get-go, but was also supportive of my concern and want to work. The past 9 months have been a transition, but it has been so, so rewarding to be able to be at home with my baby! She is hard work, that's not even a question...and I can' t just clock out at 5 pm and say I'm done for the day, although somedays that sounds nice :) A real paycheck would be nice, but a toothless grin and slobbery kiss from Emri is all the payment I need to make the hard work worth it!

I feel so lucky to be able to have this "job" of being a mom and caregiver because I know that many people have not been blessed with the opportunity (yet). Emri is such a sweet gift we've been given and I definitely don't want to "wish" this part of my life away just to get to the next stage, as I have so many times before. If anything, I find myself everyday telling Emri to stop growing already...I want these days to last!

While I worked one of my amazing friends Heather and her sweet boy Isaac tended Emri. They loved her like she belonged in their family! Basically Emri thinks this is her "other" mother and older brother! She LOVED being with them and never cried when I left (I was always the one with tears)! Actually just recently while I was picking E up, Isaac went out the front door to leave for school and Emri started crying! She didn't want me....she only wanted him! She loves her buddy Isaac! These pics are a few months old, but Heather took them for me while I was working and I never posted them!

Isaac and E snugglin' in their jammies!

Heather and E!

Isaac is so sweet with her....he is going to make one awesome big brother in just a few short months!! Thanks a million you two for taking such good care of my babe!

A friend recommended this book to me a while ago (thanks Bre). I did start reading it....though, I haven't finished it yet due to my (lack of) love for reading, but what I've read so far I've really enjoyed! If there are any stay at home moms out there not feeling like what you're doing is important, you need to read this book!

When Brett and I moved away for dental school his parents came to visit us a couple months after we were settled in. They brought us a wall hanging that says, "Happiness is the Journey, Not the Destination." I'm coming to realize the truth of that saying more and more each day. My hope is to enjoy the journey we're on....no regrets....no wanting the past....or hoping for the future...just live for today!

team JACOB anyone??

Most of you know that I'm really not a pleasure reader. In fact, I only read about 100 pages of New Moon over a year ago and never finished it! I liked Twilight (at least it interested me enough to finish it) and the movie was ok....I know, what's wrong with me, right?!

Brett was so sweet and stayed home from Thursday night basketball so I could go out with the girls! So, a dozen or so friends went to dinner last night, saw Twilight in the theater at 9pm, and then New Moon at MIDNIGHT!!! So fun! Yeah...the last time my eyes were open at midnight for a movie.....can't remember....oh yes I can, last year at this same time, with several of these same friends!

Me, Sarah, Amy...gotta love the blinding close-ups!

They were showing New Moon in 7 of 9 theaters! I called Brett while we were waiting in line to get into the theater and there was so much squealing, excitement, and cackling, and screeching in the background he said, "Whoa, it sounds like a bunch of hens!" It really was madness!

We took plenty of candy to keep us awake!

I think this was close to midnight....when nothing makes sense anymore, and everything makes you laugh!

I stayed completely awake through both movies (this was the first thing Brett asked me about this morning) which is SO unlike me! On our way out of the theater I saw this guy that was so freaky looking...pale face, long black hair that you could almost see through, black trench coat....I grabbed Amanda to tell her to look at the vampire behind us! We turned around and I couldn't see him ANYWHERE! We both started screaming! I felt like I was in high school again! I didn't get home till 2:45am and was so wired I thought about blogging last night! Finally around 3:30 I zonked!

I LOVED New Moon! It was so much better than the first one! I don't know, MAYBE it had something to do with the hot-bod Jacob jogging around shirt-less during 90% of the movie?! I still can't get into Edward...he's weird and his teeth bug me!

So, how bout you? Have you been to the movie yet? Are you for Edward or Jacob or is all of this a little too out there for you?

Emri Graduated

"Yeah, I like my infant seat okay....although when I sit in it it makes me look like those people who try to stuff 20 lbs of mud in a 5 lb sack, if ya know what I mean?! Some overflow goin on! And, sometimes I stress out when I get buckled in and throw a tizzy. I think it's time for an upgrade!"

"Wow....this is like riding first class! I'm thinking I will really like this new seat! There's so much room to chillax! I could get used to this!"

"Okay dad, just buckle me in and let me see how it feels.....do you need some help? Yep, you got it, just like that!"

"OH YEAH! This is nice! Yep, it's a keeper....let's go ahead and send in the business reply card saying we love it!"

LOVE these blue eyes!

Just a little shot into our lives of what happens when mom leaves before Emri is dressed in the morning! Dad thinks it's funny to get creative and dress her in the most MIS-MATCHING, bright colored, random clothing in her wardrobe...complete with crazy hair....and paper to munch on! Look at that face....it's like she just saw herself in the mirror! ha ha! She knows I've taught her better!

It wont stop her from having fun though!

Little Scooter!

Poor babe caught some little bug and was up half the night into Monday morning then ran a temperature of 101 all day yesterday, so she was pretty mellow. Today she still is running a fever but is more active and has the energy to scoot around, so I thought I'd catch her crawling! So glad yesterday is over. I felt so bad for her...although, she was extra cuddly so I didn't mind that! Hopefully whatever she has will go away soon.

Hallo-WEEK

It feels like Halloween lasted more than just a few hours this year.... We carved our pumpkins Wednesday. I had Brett carve out some leg holes in the big one for a cute picture of E in it.

Here's our cute picture! It makes ME want to cry! As soon as we sat her down she freaked! I don't think I've ever seen her so sad (of course I snapped a couple photos)

I don't blame her....it was cold and slimey and smelled like raw pumpkin guts! Sorry Emri.

Our neighborhood "Beggar's Night" (aka Trick-or-Treat) was Thursday. It's a weird thing Columbus does, but I guess it makes it safer for the little kiddos to do it during the week and only from 6-8pm. Emri made her big debut as "Bumble-E!" I got this awesome brand new costume for $5 at a yard sale! Sweet!

We took E around to a few houses and let everyone oooh and aaaah over her cute little cheeks stuffed into that hat!

Here are some of our neighborhood friends: Boston & Tate, Emerson, Taylee, Isaac and Emri

We let Emri suck on a chocolate bar....we figured if she worked hard enough to actually get to the chocolate then she deserved a taste :) Despite her efforts, all she ended up with was an unopened wrapper full of melty chocolate.

Friday was my last day of work--YAY-- (more to come later) and we went to a fun Halloween party of some friends in the ward. This was E's cute Halloween outfit!

Saturday morning the Ward Mission put together a trunk-or-treat at the church. I went to pass out candy, but Emri was napping so Brett stayed home with her!

Satuday night we went to Alli J's 1st Birthday Bash/Halloween Party! It was really fun and everyone dressed up! This is the birthday girl (minnie mouse---soooo cute) and Emri. Don't they just have the cutest squishy cheeks?!

We played some silly games....this one we had to stand back to back while trying to feed eachother powdered dougnuts and get the fastest time. We got 2nd place! PS....do you know how hard it is to swallow a powdered doughnut really fast?? VERY HARD!

Our family went as......The Beekeeper and his Bumblebees! Thanks for the fun party Beckstroms!

Love her!

AND...today at church Emri hit a big milestone....she finally coordinated her hands and knees while we were sitting in Relief Society and now we have a crawler! Time to baby-proof!