Leslie made me do it ....

I was told by Leslie that I had to do another blog about Kaileys birthday and about Cuba ... Cuba will take a while, sorry Leslie. Here is the princess' birthday summary.

She is generally in a good mood most of the time anyway, but on her birthday she was especially excited, she knew something was differant about that day. She got her special "Birthday Girl" badge and wore it with pride to church. As Kathy Nelson can probably tell you, she was waving at everyone and laughing alot more than normal in sacrament meeting. She was quite proud of herself all day long.

Her Party was fun, we were going to do a big huge thing and invite over everyone we knew that had kids, but we decided that maybe she would get alittle overwhelmed and that would get alittle too crazy, so we just invited over the immediate family because they are the people that she loves the most anyway.

She was LOVING all the new books and toys, and her new kiddie lap-top from my parents, she barley knew what to do with herself, she is still excited about the pile of new stuff that is still sitting in the living room.

Am I allowed to still call her a baby or is she officially a toddler now ? She thinks she is 25 and totally proud of herself at all times. Funny Funny Funny kid, a total entertainer to the last drop. The only times when she really lets herself be a baby is when I cuddle with her before she goes to bed, I dont know when that will stop, but it will be a sad day for me I think.

Anyway her birthday was great, we all had a wonderful day

stay tuned for Cuba Leslie, its coming ..... someday .....

One year of being a Mama .....

- Mother-hood has sucked the selfishness right out of me, she always comes first and always will.

- Mother-hood has taught me what Christ-like love is, I will always love her and die for her no matter what she does or doesnt do.
- Mother-hood has taught me gratitude, I am gratful for every moment with her.
- Mother-hood has taught me patience, I am far more patient than I thought I was, but I have also learned that I have a limit.
- Mother-hood has taught me to prioritize, reading books comes before dishes. Playing games comes before laundry, singing songs comes before cleaning the bathroom. House work will ALWAYS be there to do, kailey will only have a childhood one time, I am determined to take advantage of every moment with her.
- Mother-hood has taught me that I can do a surprising amount of things while holding a baby in one arm, that list currently includes things like, brushing my teeth, doing my hair and make-up, making dinner, cleaning the house, grocery shopping, folding a doing laundry ... the list grows everyday
- Mother-hood has taught me to watch myself, Kailey watches and copies everything I do. It is for this reason that I want to always be calm and happy around her so that she will be aswell.
- Mother-hood has taught me how important the gospel really is. It takes a village to raise a child, I would rather she be raised in a village of love and support and faith, than in the world where greed, selfishness and hatred are free.
- I have learned more about myself this past year than I knew in the past 24 previous years, how can I love such a tiny thing so much? How can I be so interested in the little things she does? How can I totally forget anything of myself and be so focused on her every whim ... yet I am happier than i ever have been?

She has been my greatest teacher so far in life. there are so many other lessons that I have learned and many more that I am learning everyday. I am so glad that she chose to come and be in my family, and I pray everyday that I am worthy to be her Mommy.

xo xo xo I love you Birthday girl xo xo xo