Distinguished Young Women (AKA Jr. Miss)

This was the second year I got to be on the DYW committee. I love helping out with this program! You get to work hard for 4 months and see how each young woman grew throughout the experience that will change her life forever! This program is so dear to my heart. I saw what it did for my sister, Devonee. She won the talent award and was chosen to represent our community at the state program. I saw her grow into a confident woman and realize the talents that she had and realize the potential that she had as a young woman. I saw that and I was only nine. When I was still in Iowa I decided to return to Aberdeen at the end of my junior year so I could get involved with cheerleading and student council for my senior year. It just so happened that I would be moving back to Aberdeen a month before the program. I called Chana Duffin (who is still the chairman) and she was so supportive and let me join the group of girls. I didn't receive an award but I think that I gained the greater experience because of it. I still to this day cannot listen to my violin solo (I was so nervous and way off tune) but I am still proud of myself for getting up in front of the whole town and performing that piece. I had a fear of memorizing since a recital when I was younger and I overcame it and I performed to the best of my ability. I came in half way through the practices and learned all of the routines and I got to become closer with so many of the girls in my grade (There were 17 of us!). I learned so much about myself and truly learned to Be My Best Self! It makes me so sad when I hear people saying that they would rather pay their daughter not to do it. Sometimes people take it too far and that is where the program loses its credibility. But I know what I got out of it and every year and I pray each girl will have the experience that I did.

I love helping with the program to this day. There were only 7 girls this year but they were such a sweet group and full of amazing talents! The theme was Journey to Fearless in honor of Taylor Swift and it was so cute. The girls loved it and every song was perfect! These girls were incredible! It takes a lot of courage to get up on that stage. I am so grateful that I get to witness these beautiful girls come into their own each year

I love all seven of those girls but I have to tell you that this sweet girl, Whitney, is like the little sister I never had. She is AMAZING! I have known her since she was born and would play with her when our mom's would visit and secretly pretend she was my sister :) Our moms were best friends and both battled breast cancer. Connie lost her battle a year and a half ago and it still breaks my heart every time I think about it. This girl is a FIGHTER! Can you imagine going through something like at 16? I cannot even imagine. But if you didn't know her you would never know. She goes through life with a smile on her face and she can always make me laugh. I was her cheer coach this year and I called her What-if-Whit. She can come up with more scenarios than you can imagine. I love this girl and she did incredible last night. She won awards in fitness, self-expression, interview and first runner-up. I am so proud of her and I love her to death!

Daddy's Girl

Breckyn had her first tractor ride this week and she loved it! She was so interested in everything around her. I've taken her out a few times. One time I had to run to pocatello really quickly and Tanner wanted to watch her while I went. He and Grandpa Dirk LOVED it! I love that we live on a farm and Breckyn will be able to witness the planting and harvesting processes. There is something special about growing up on a farm. Every time we go out to see Tanner she has to wear her John Deere apparel :)

He definitely has the magic touch. These pictures melt my heart!

I'll Love You Forever

This week the book I'll Love You Forever has been on my mind. I was rocking Breckyn to sleep and I was overcome with those feelings of complete gratitude and joy. The line came into my mind from that story, "I'll love you forever. I'll love you for always. As long as I'm living my baby you'll be." I do not want her to grow up. Although I am loving each and every new stage I get to witness, it breaks my heart when I think that she won't always be so tiny and won't be able to rock her to sleep. I love this sweet girl with all of my heart. The years that Tanner and I spent just the two of us seem so long ago. We can hardly remember what it was like not to have her sweet spirit in our home. She is growing too fast. She needs to slow down...

Triumph!!

Last night there was a miracle in our home! Breckyn finally sleeps the whole night in her crib AND she will nap for 2 hours...3 times a day! I do have to go in and pop her binky in every once in a while but I will take it any day over naping 30 minutes and sleeping part of the night in the crib and part in our bed. The trick was to have her sleep in this position. She loves to nestle into the bumpers. Kind of freaks me out a little. I keep having to check on her. I am sleeping like an angel these nights and I finally feel like I can pay attention to my house and get dinner done witht the free time I get during her naps!

Happy 25th Tan!

Tanner turned 25 today! Poor Tanner now has to fit his birthday into busy planting season. We had cake and ice cream at 9pm at my parents house. But he knew what he was getting into when he chose to become a farmer :) I didn't get a picture of him with his presents but I got him some new shorts and shirts for Summer(if we ever get summer). I also made him flip book of 25 reasons why I love him. We had a good laugh at it because I threw in some funny inside jokes :) I love this guy like crazy. He is an amazing father and does so much for me and Breckyn. He is such a hard worker and loves his job. I am so grateful for the worthy priesthood holder that he is and how he leads our family. He makes me laugh every day and I am constantly why I fell ( and am still) so in love with this amazing man!

5 Months

Breckyn is now 5 months. Seriously, I do not know where the time is going. I was talking to Heather on the phone the other day. She had went to my parents mission reunion and a missionary despcribed his mission like this, "The days seems like weeks, and the weeks seem like days." I find that statement very true as a mom. There are some days that seem like they will never end and you're tired and all you want to do is take that nap. But when you look back at the time you wonder where it has all gone. Breckyn is growing each day and it truly amazes me. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed our lives and we get to look after her for her earthly life. How could we not love this sweet girl?

Breckyn's milestones for the past month...

• She loves to laugh! We cannot get enough of it.
• We found her tickle spot. Pretty much everywhere, but mostly her ribs and her thighs.
• She can pop her binky in and out all by herself
• She is practicing to sit up bu herself.
• She sleeps 10 hours a night (yay!)
• She can roll from her back to her tummy.
• She found her toes :)
• And this month she discovered solid foods and LOVES them!

Happy Easter 2012

I still feel like a little kid at Easter. I love Easter baskets. I love the decorations you get to break out because it means Winter is ending and Spring is coming! But of course, I love the reflection of the Resurrection of our Savior. I love the timing of Easter. I love how it comes just a few months after Christmas to serve as that reminder once again of what is the purpose of life and the ultimate gift that our Savior truly was. We were able to spend time surrounded by family and we loved every minute of it. Happy Easter everyone...He is Risen!

The first picture is our Easter and Breckyn with her basket Easter morning. I know she was excited! ;) The second picture is my beautiful mother with Breckyn and Eric's kids before we sat down to dinner. It really is amazing that I got a picture this good of all of them.

March in a nutshell...

We've been running all over and everywhere this month. These photos of Breckyn pretty much sum up how we feel now that it is over. But we are anticipating planting season...