Monday, Zoie decided to get up at 6:30am. She walked around the house while I got on the computer to check my email and stuff.
She comes up to me and says ...
Zoie: "gramp... gramp... gramp"
Me: "Grandpa is still sleeping and won't be up for a few more hours."
Zoie: "Ah shu... Ah Shu.."
a few minutes pass by
Zoie: "gramp"
Me: "He's still sleeping"
Zoie: "Ah Man"
The last few weeks we've spent a lot of time on the computer skyping with my dad (who by the way lives in a 3 hour earlier time difference from us).She gets really excited to talk and see "Gramp" on the computer. I'm glad she loves him and knows who he is. She'll be very excited when "Gramp" and "Grams" come to visit in a few months.
3.29.2012
Valentine's Day Letter
As 2011 ends, we can’t help but step back and ponder on the wonderful things that happened to us this year. We were given amazing opportunities, ever-lasting memories, and difficult trials, but most of all fun-loving adventures.
Ryan is an incredible husband, father, friend, and leader. His testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ is what keeps our family strong and centered. He graduated from Southern Virginia University in April with a degree in English. We were so glad he finished no more late night readings, and papers to write. It took a while and tons of applications filled out and tons of interviews, but Ryan was fortunate to have found a job that he enjoys doing. He works at the Library in the Children Story Time and Craft department as well as the Reference Desk. The kids absolutely love him and look up to him a lot. He is still the 1st Counselor in one of the University Student Wards Bishopric. This is our second year involved with young adults and we enjoy being there for them. Ryan loves his life as father. He gets excited to come home from work and know that Zoie is waiting by the door for him to play.
Hillary had a busy and eventful year. She is the Head Volleyball Coach at the High School. She loved the girls, the experiences she had, and above all, the example she became in each of their lives. She also started to coach at a local volleyball club. Hillary continues to work at Gold’s Gym teaching Body Flow and is in training to teach a high-intense cardio work-out known as Body Attack. Fortunately, all her jobs allow her to bring Zoie. Zoie loves to come to the gym and play with her friends as well as get all the attention and love from the volleyball girls. Hillary loves being a mom and helping Zoie develop her talents and skills—the life of a Mom. J
Zoie turned 1 in September and she is getting big. She has adjusted well into this life. She has learned and accomplished many, many things. Zoie started walking around 10 months and that became the most fun-filled adventure for her. We are teaching her sign language and she is picking up on it quite well. She can sign, all done, more, please, water, and eat. Not only has she caught on to signing, but she caught on to talking. She can say, mom, dad, hi, where’s daddy, what’s this, what’s that, dog, car, yes and much more. We’ve decided that we aren’t going to have the child that asks all the “Why” questions, but asks all the “What’s this” and “What’s that” questions. J Zoie loves to explore and be outside and play with her friends. She is one very active girl and we definitely have our hands full.
We are expecting Baby #2 on July 3rd. We are anxiously waiting to know what we are having, but probably not as anxious the baby itself. This baby moves a lot, but very differently than Zoie. We are excited to add to our family and have another little one around the house. Zoie is starting to understand what is happening, which is great. Come July we are going to have our hands and house full.
Our family journey is just beginning and we couldn’t be more grateful for the experiences we receive. Having the Savior, Jesus Christ, and Heavenly Father in our lives constantly is a blessing. We pray that the spirit of the Lord may dwell with and bless you and your family. If you would like to stay update with our family life, please visit our blog at ryanandhillary.blogspot.com.
3.28.2012
18 Months
Monday, Zoie turned 18 months!! YAY.... Nursery age... hehe...
The older she gets the more smitten we are with her. I mean who couldn't? Just look at how lovable she is.
She has grown up so much the past couple months, it's amazing. She talks all the time. Literally, every day a new word is added to her vocabulary. We have to be very careful about what say around her sometimes.
Zoie loves to make things, especially cooking. She has helped me multiple times with making bread, breakfast, and dinner. She has even helped daddy make his sorbet (another story for another time). She loves to color and play outside. We go on multiple walks almost every day. That is how much she loves to be outside and explore, especially smelling and picking all the pretty flowers. .
She also loves to skype with my family. Every time we say you want to talk to Grandma and Grandpa, she runs over to the computer and smiles. I'm glad she knows who they are and loves them. She'll be super excited when the visit in a few months.
I have asked her a couple of times if she is excited to have a little sister and she always turns to me and smiles and says "Yeah." She is going to have such a blast with a new baby in the house in few short months.
We love Zoie so much. She definitely has one crazy, weird, special, unique, funny personality that keeps growing every day. She brings so much joy and happiness into our home and life.
The older she gets the more smitten we are with her. I mean who couldn't? Just look at how lovable she is.
She has grown up so much the past couple months, it's amazing. She talks all the time. Literally, every day a new word is added to her vocabulary. We have to be very careful about what say around her sometimes.
Zoie loves to make things, especially cooking. She has helped me multiple times with making bread, breakfast, and dinner. She has even helped daddy make his sorbet (another story for another time). She loves to color and play outside. We go on multiple walks almost every day. That is how much she loves to be outside and explore, especially smelling and picking all the pretty flowers. .
She also loves to skype with my family. Every time we say you want to talk to Grandma and Grandpa, she runs over to the computer and smiles. I'm glad she knows who they are and loves them. She'll be super excited when the visit in a few months.
I have asked her a couple of times if she is excited to have a little sister and she always turns to me and smiles and says "Yeah." She is going to have such a blast with a new baby in the house in few short months.
We love Zoie so much. She definitely has one crazy, weird, special, unique, funny personality that keeps growing every day. She brings so much joy and happiness into our home and life.
you can't see them, but she is picking purple flowers.
3.27.2012
Battle of the Bands
We have a couple of local bands in our town. One is a group of boys from the High School and the other, is a group from the University, which consist of a Professor and his two sons, and a student. The other weekend they had a "Battle of the Bands" event and we thought we'd go and support them. It was a lot of fun. I'd have to say though, I think Zoie enjoyed it a little more than we did. She was in her own little dancing world and having a blast. Shr spent a lot of quality time with daddy, following him around and dancing. I love my famliy.
3.26.2012
Staying STRONG in the STORMS of Life
General Conference is this coming weekend and I thought I would write how you can get more out of general conference. How you can better enrich your life. Most of my comments will come from an article in the most recent issue of the April 2012 Ensign.
The spiritual enlightenment we each receive during general conference doesn't have to end Sunday afternoon. President Harold B. Lee strongly encourages us to let the conference talks "be the guide to their walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day." Not only has President Lee advised this concept, but so has President Ezra Taft Benson, "For the next six months, your conference edition of the Ensign should stand next to your standard works and be referred to frequently."
Life is hard and we all struggle with various trials and challenges. So, to help you all here are three suggestions to help you make the conference messages more meaningful into your life.
1. Prepare to receive inspiration.
The spiritual enlightenment we each receive during general conference doesn't have to end Sunday afternoon. President Harold B. Lee strongly encourages us to let the conference talks "be the guide to their walk and talk during the next six months. These are the important matters the Lord sees fit to reveal to this people in this day." Not only has President Lee advised this concept, but so has President Ezra Taft Benson, "For the next six months, your conference edition of the Ensign should stand next to your standard works and be referred to frequently."
Life is hard and we all struggle with various trials and challenges. So, to help you all here are three suggestions to help you make the conference messages more meaningful into your life.
1. Prepare to receive inspiration.
- Elder David A. Bednar taught of this when he said, "the content of a message and the witness of the Holy Ghost penetrate into the heart only if a receiver allows them to enter. Receiving inspiration requires spiritual, mental, and physical exertion and not just passive reception."
- 3 ways to prepare:
- Set aside time and create a distraction-free environment in which you can receive spiritual promptings.
- Seek divine guidance through prayer.
- List personal questions or concerns for which you are seeking answers.
- 4 study methods to use while studying and pondering conference talks:
- Ask questions to help you understand the meaning.
- Write an outline of the important sections of the talk and summarize them.
- Identify various elements within the talk.
- Study the talk more than once and make note of new insights you receive each time.
- Making the right changes to life can be difficult, so ask yourself these questions, then write down your impressions:
- What does the Lord want me to do with what I learn?
- What have I learned that will help me in my family, work, or church calling?
- etc.
3.21.2012
Homemade Playdough
A few weeks ago, my grandma sent Zoie a box with some play dough tools and an apron. She has loved playing with them and wearing the apron. So one day I decided to make her some play dough to really put those tools to work. I made some grape edible play dough and she loved playing with it. She had a couple of bites, but she didn't care too much for the taste.
I am trying to be a good mommy and play with Zoie and giving her the best childhood memories that I can and I am glad she is enjoying them so far. She is really growing up with these activities and learning so much. I love it.
I am trying to be a good mommy and play with Zoie and giving her the best childhood memories that I can and I am glad she is enjoying them so far. She is really growing up with these activities and learning so much. I love it.
First Haircut
I've postponed this little event for a very long time. I didn't want to have to cut Zoie's hair. I love how thin, soft and shiny it is and I didn't want to cut it, in the chance I might ruin her lovely hair. But she wouldn't let me put it back in a ponytail, so it was left in her face and she'd have to move her hair out of her way constantly. So with that said, I did cut her hair and she did very good. I think it's so cute, but it makes my little girl look so grown up.
Bread Making
Monday, for Family Home Evening, Zoie and I made bread together. She had a lot of fun. She loves to sit on the counter when I cook and every now and then I'll have her put some stuff in the pot or bowl. It's so cute to see how excited she gets to help mommy. :)
We made quite the mess with the flour, but it was well worth it and she had fun and loved every minute of it. The best part was eating it. It tasted really good, and Zoie got all crazy happy when the timer went off. Enjoy these pictures.
We made quite the mess with the flour, but it was well worth it and she had fun and loved every minute of it. The best part was eating it. It tasted really good, and Zoie got all crazy happy when the timer went off. Enjoy these pictures.
This one is my favorite :)
3.19.2012
Staying STRONG in the STORMS of Life
Lately, I've been reading this book, "Receiving Answers To Our Prayers." It is a wonderful book, filled with many amazing examples and advice on prayer. I've been struggling with prayer lately and I don't know why. This book has helped and has given me a better idea of how to rearrange my prayers to better suit my life and my family's.
One of the chapters in the book discusses different principles that can add power to your prayers. As I read it, I thought of what principles I need to work on, so I can have an added measure of power in my prayers. I decided to work on the principle "Cast out Doubt and Fear." Too many times, I feel that when I pray and don't feel at peace or something along those lines, I feel like maybe my prayer won't be answered, or I can't wait forever for an answer or I second guess myself for even asking such a thing from the Lord.
"I'm always impressed as I think of the negative power of doubt and fear on the power of faith. Joseph Smith said, in essence, 'Doubt and fear cannot reside in the mind of man at the same time as faith. One or the other will leave.' (See N. B. Lundwall, comp., Lectures on Faith [Salt Lake City, n.d.], lecture 4, paragraph 13.)
"One of the greatest difficulties of trying to accomplish something through faith and prayer is to really believe it will happen. Doubt and fear are so powerful that they can sometimes dissuade you from starting the endeavor in the first place or when you get started they can motivate you to quit.
"We all know the story of Peter walking on the water. He saw Jesus approaching them on the surface of the sea, and, in a great act of faith, said, 'Bid me come unto thee.' (Matthew 14:28.) Jesus bade him to come, and Peter stepped out of the boat. You can imagine his feelings as he put all his weight on his foot and started to step into the Sea of Galilee. Then all of a sudden he was walking, . . . . Then it appears the devil moved into the picture. The wind stirred up, and waves lifted higher, and Peter began to doubt; he was filled with fear; and down he went. . .
"Then Jesus reached out and saved him, saying, 'O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?' (Matthew 14:31.) Jesus could also have added, 'Peter, you were tied to my power, as long as you were believing and walking and having faith. But the moment you let doubt in, see what happens?'
"What a great lesson! And how essential! I'd have to say. . . the greatest challenge faced is to really believe with all our hearts, to believe beforehand, to not doubt or fear, and to not give up. If you can do that and have unshakable faith, you'll receive the blessings you seek-- assuming, what you seek is in harmony with the will of the Lord." I'd like to add personally, that if you follow this principle you will be able to stay STRONG in the STORMS of life.
One of the chapters in the book discusses different principles that can add power to your prayers. As I read it, I thought of what principles I need to work on, so I can have an added measure of power in my prayers. I decided to work on the principle "Cast out Doubt and Fear." Too many times, I feel that when I pray and don't feel at peace or something along those lines, I feel like maybe my prayer won't be answered, or I can't wait forever for an answer or I second guess myself for even asking such a thing from the Lord.
"I'm always impressed as I think of the negative power of doubt and fear on the power of faith. Joseph Smith said, in essence, 'Doubt and fear cannot reside in the mind of man at the same time as faith. One or the other will leave.' (See N. B. Lundwall, comp., Lectures on Faith [Salt Lake City, n.d.], lecture 4, paragraph 13.)
"One of the greatest difficulties of trying to accomplish something through faith and prayer is to really believe it will happen. Doubt and fear are so powerful that they can sometimes dissuade you from starting the endeavor in the first place or when you get started they can motivate you to quit.
"We all know the story of Peter walking on the water. He saw Jesus approaching them on the surface of the sea, and, in a great act of faith, said, 'Bid me come unto thee.' (Matthew 14:28.) Jesus bade him to come, and Peter stepped out of the boat. You can imagine his feelings as he put all his weight on his foot and started to step into the Sea of Galilee. Then all of a sudden he was walking, . . . . Then it appears the devil moved into the picture. The wind stirred up, and waves lifted higher, and Peter began to doubt; he was filled with fear; and down he went. . .
"Then Jesus reached out and saved him, saying, 'O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?' (Matthew 14:31.) Jesus could also have added, 'Peter, you were tied to my power, as long as you were believing and walking and having faith. But the moment you let doubt in, see what happens?'
"What a great lesson! And how essential! I'd have to say. . . the greatest challenge faced is to really believe with all our hearts, to believe beforehand, to not doubt or fear, and to not give up. If you can do that and have unshakable faith, you'll receive the blessings you seek-- assuming, what you seek is in harmony with the will of the Lord." I'd like to add personally, that if you follow this principle you will be able to stay STRONG in the STORMS of life.
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