Vogue! (okay maybe not)

Emree is a very happy baby, but she is not that great in front of the camera lol....I just thought I would post of few of her recent pictures.

A Four Month Old Dad!

It is hard to believe that Emree is already 4 months old. She has changed so much in the last few weeks. She is now loving her toys, her fist, sitting up (not by herself), and tricking us all into thinking she might actual attempt to roll over. I love to watch her grow and change and I also love to watch her play with her Dad. I know I am a little late, but I wanted to throw out a Happy Father's Day to Tyler. He is one amazing Dad. He will easily stay up with Emree, walk with Emree, change her diaper, give her her bath ( they loves bath time) and  much more. I love his dedication to his new little bundle of joy and I can't wait to watch the father he will become.

Embrace your passion!

Dance has always been a huge part of my life. I can easily say I was not that most naturally gifted, I wasn’t the most flexible, and I was never the strongest dancer in any of my dance classes. But I can promise you that I have always had my heart in it. Dance was my shoulder to cry on. Dance was my outlet. When I felt like no one understood what I was going through I knew there was a song and a dance that did. I remember on a particularly hard day, when teenage me was trying not to explode into tears, I drove out to the studio (11 pm) and just turned on my favorite song and danced. I didn’t care how high my kick was, how pointed my feet were, or if someone was watching…I was dancing for me. A lot of people ask me how I got through my busy schedule in high school. My senior year I had Drill team at 6:15 am, Seminary at 7:45 am, School at 9 am, a work out at noon, Homework until 3, Dance until 8, sometimes mutual, sometimes choreography, sometimes drill team, sometimes Miss Moses Lake interviews, if everything was done I was allowed to hangout with friends until 10:30 and then it was bed time to get up again at 5:30. I did it because I loved it. I looked forward to almost every aspect of my day. This is me venting and me reminding myself how wonderful it is to have a passion. Whatever your personal passion is, embrace it. Take time to love doing what you love doing. I know that sounds silly, but I think we often don’t just let ourselves go. Life is about living. Live it. I am reminding myself to live each day to my fullest. I still love to dance and I get to teach. I can’t wait to take everything I have learned and share it with all the dancers I come in contact with. It isn’t about being the best dancer, it’s about being YOUR best dancer. “Dance like no one is watching.” Dance with your heart. Live with your heart. Embrace your passion.

Head shots!

We took these pictures at a photo booth at our good friend Paige's reception! Emree was a little freaked out about the lights flashing in her face, but isn't she the cutest!

Limbo is over . . . kind of.

Ty and I have made a plan. While he is applying to medical school and waiting to get accepted and become the best doctor ever. .. we are going to do some fun things. We are currently in California. Ty is busy selling emergency preparedness supplies and starting a vending machine company with my brother. I am busy hanging out with his mom and sisters. We have our own little apartment in Irvine and absolutely love it. We are also patiently awaiting the return of Ty's brother Tanner from his mission in Estonia. We are going to stay here through Thanksgiving and then pop on over to Moses Lake. David Earl has graciously allowed Ty to spend time working in his office and I am so excited to teach at Todays Generation. We also get to be there when my brother Quinn gets home from his mission in Fiji. It is going to be a very fun year off and we both couldn't be more excited! 

My Very Own Night Owl. . . hoot hoot!

If you know me you know I am a "go with the flow" kind of person. So, when it came down to mothering, I thought I would be a "go with the flow" mom. I didn't record Emree's eating times or try to schedule them. I didn't mark her bodily functions on a chart. I didn't even care if she slept with me all night long. I am a little ashamed to admit that I even played with her when she was awake in the middle of the night. Now, you can shake your heads and scold me with your index finger, but I was (I mean I am) just so excited to be a mom. 

Then I  became exhausted. I knew it was time to throw in the towel or at least I knew I couldn't go on like this. Emree wasn't going to bed until midnight and she was waking up to eat around 3 am and 6 am. To make matters worse, my little bundle of joy was smiling and up for the day at 8. She was tired, I was tired, and Ty was tired of us being tired. And then the miracle happened...

We decided it was time for a bed time and in order to establish one we had to let her cry. One night we (unsuccessfully) tried to let her cry and finally got her to bed at 1:30 am. But we were committed and we knew we were in for the long haul. Second attempt... only 5 minutes of crying was necessary. Third night... only 5 minutes of crying again. She is now (for the time being) sleeping 6 to 7 hour stretches. Now, some of you may brag about how fabulous all or some of your children were and how mine is lame. But I am totally stoked. She is in bed now and I am up blogging because I am not even tired. It is a miracle. Walk on water, millions of fishes miracle. Now everyone please knock on wood after you read this post because I am not sure how long it will last. 

I Seriously Love Love Love My Sister!

Happy Birthday Kenzie! Wow! Kenzie is turning 17 tomorrow and I had to let her (and you all) know how much I love her. She is absolutely awesome. I think she is so beautiful. I look a lot like her and so does my little Emree lol.  She has the deepest blue eyes and the best fashion sense. Other things I love about Mackenzie is that she is has a wonderful sense of humor. She knows how to make me laugh no matter what.  She is super talented and artistic. Her and my mom have adorned Emree with bracelets, bows, and wipe cases. Kenzie also helped put up Emree's crib and is always willing to help others. Kenzie has spent a ton of time in the shadows. She is not the oldest or the first girl, all her friends are a little bit louder or out spoken, and I know that she often feels like she is the forgotten one, but I want her to know she is not! I need her in my life. I need her smile and her happiness. I wish I could see her everyday and I am so sad I don't get to be there to celebrate her birthday. Kenzie... my point is this: I love you. Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day.