Practicing like a Pro!

Little Feet

Jane has been practicing walking with us and 

I finally decided to take a little video of it. 

Those little feet are just so precious! 

Isn't it amazing all that we learn in our first year of life! 

How curious and brave little people are!

Lovely day.

I really enjoy opportunities to serve and the thrill of finding Jane Austen pathways to walk on. Today I was blessed with both!

A woman in our ward sent out a plea for help to make food for a sudden funeral. The family was in need of a great meal as they gathered to commemorate the life life of a loved one. I volunteered to make a cake. And boy was it fun! I haven't made and decorated a cake for a long time and forgot how much I love it. The decorating part is my favorite!

Then during my daily walk with Jane I decided to venture down the overgrown trail that follows the canal...and my goodness! It was like stepping back in time. I loved not having cars zooming by and hearing the babbling water instead. We enjoyed picking wild pants for a Bouqet. It was a beautiful discovery finding this path, and I do believe we shall walk on it more!

Eyes

Deep blue eyes....how I can get lost in their beauty. I have always loved looking into people's eyes. They tell so much about the soul of a person. When Mister James and I were dating we would have "staring contests" and one time made an all time record of 5 minutes. It was a neat experience to really look, deeply and sincerely, into someone's eyes. Noticing the lines of color, the little specks and patterns, and the depth of their pupil. Now I do the same with Jane, staring in her sweet eyes brings peace and love into my heart.

You should take a minute sometime to just stare into the eyes of a loved one. With all the hustle bustle of this world it would do us well, I think, to close our mouths, have our feet pause, let our hands let go of our phones, and just stare with our magnificent eyes and wonder at the beautiful world and the people in it.

Real Food

Using fresh produce from a garden you planted is so much fun! We've been enjoying salads lately. And then it became a must to try some veggies in a stir fry. Mister James LOVES rice and so a meal including it is always a hit. Using coconut oil added a great flavor and sesame seeds on top adds the sprinkles to the Real Food meal. My cute cousin just started a great food blog on using "real food", check it out:

http://www.twothirdscup.com/two-thirds-cup/

U R Special!

This week started off with a bang that has gotten me behind on blogging, on cleaning, on getting things done and on being happy. There is a lot of sadness in this beautiful world of ours, and when you hear, see and are dished it, it can get overwhelming and disheartening. However, each of us, YOU included, is special and full of greatness. And that's what helps me get through things... remembering that innately all of us are good and we are all important. No matter what someone belittles you with or what experiences you go through, YOU can rise above them and show what you're made of.

There were hard things said to my Mister James and about our family that made the mama bear come out and my heart grow heavy. Sometimes I want to calmly play the time old classic, Bambi. And put repeat on the scene where Thumpers mother has him say the advice he's been taught, "If you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all." How many lives would be blessed if we took the advice of that smart rabbit.

Remember to use your head before words are said or written that can hurt another person. The morning after our hard night I got a pick-me-up bacon maple bar and orange juice for my Mister. I can't wait to do things like that for my children!! It brings me a lot of joy and helps me forget my sorrows when I serve someone else. I sure love this little family of mine a bushel and a peck, they are a barrel of fun and my heart is there's forever!

Saturday is a Special Day...

"Saturday is a special day...it's the day 

we get ready for Sunday!"

Last evening we had tub time outside and it was epic! Dad discovered a funny trick to make Jane smile in the tub. And Jane discovered her parents like water fights! :) We went wild splashing each other with her tub water and ringing out her towels on each other. She just watched us like we were crazy. It was a fun water date to get ready for Sunday.

Then today, Sunday, I got to dress Miss Jane in her Sunday Best! My sweet college roommate, Tami Porter Cayton, mailed Jane this sweet outfit and I love it!! Little girl clothes are soooo much fun, especially the dresses! "Put on your Sunday Clothes, and have your picture took!"

Watch this great musical link about putting those Sunday clothes on:

http://vimeo.com/m/72068026

Janes 1/2 Birthday

Popsicle Picnic on Jane's 6th Month!

Today was the 1/2 way mark to a year for our little lady. She is growing so quickly and we just adore her. I was talking to my mom and she said she would bake 1/2 a cake on our very first half birthday...I never knew. But we are going to start that tradition! Today was just way too hot though so we made homemade popsicles instead (but sunday we'll go out with a bang and do 1/2 a cake, just bake it at night!). They turned our delicious: raspberry lemonade blueberry. My mom had gifted me a popsicle maker last year on my birthday and we hadn't used it yet, so we finally broke it out. 

Jane is a sweet, content, smart, observant, fun, an eater, loves to be outside, sucks on just about everything, loves to make noise, babbles to fall asleep, smiles lots, loves bath time, has eaten quite an array of foods already (banana and strawberry being her favorite), laughs, rolls over like a pro, walks like a champ (holding our fingers of course), is very curious, loves to watch dad fix things, hangs out with mom all day long, is beautiful and just adorable.

We feel so blessed to have this little princess in our lives. This morning, as I called her our little princess James smiled, and then I said to Jane, "You are a Princess for a King sent you to us!" Which is so true. There is a Father in Heaven who has sent our little angel to us. He watches over His children and is a King. He loves us so very much! Every night before Jane goes to sleep I sing (LOTS) of songs to her. Among them is the sweet Hymn, "I am a Child of God." I love the words to this song. It has always been a favorite of mine. I had the Primary Children sing it to me before I left on my mission! The words are simple and powerful. And I believe in them completely. Life is important. WE are important. And I hope my little Jane knows that all her life! That she's important!

I am a child of God,

And He has sent me here,

Has given me an earthly home

With parents kind and dear.

I am a child of God,

And so my needs are great;

Help me to understand His words

Before it grows too late.

I am a child of God.

Rich blessings are in store;

If I but learn to do His will

I'll live with Him once more.

I am a child of God.

His promises are sure;

Celestial glory shall be mine

If I can but endure

Chorus:

Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,

Help me find the way.

Teach me all that I must do

To live with Him someday.

Link to a video of the Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOrcqqpHCt8

"Wow, that felt like senior photos."