Travel Marathon

I figure I have neglected this blog long enough that is time for an update. Sadly when life begins to pick up pace I become rather pathetic at writing; however, since I made it a goal not too long ago to be better at keeping a journal (which in this case is my blog) I will try to be more consistent. 

The end of the summer for us was full of what seemed like endless traveling. While we had fun visiting family and friends it was nice to finally be home for a couple of weeks. Our marathon of trips started with Collin's trip to Boston. For both his and his brother's graduation, their mom bought them tickets to a Boston Red Sox game-- a dream come true for both of them. Collin spent two days in Boston where he got the chance to go to two games at Fenway Park and tour the city a bit. With so much to see and do in Boston two days was just not enough time to really tour the city, so we have plans to go back someday.

While Collin was in Boston I went up to stay at my sister's house for a couple of days. We had a blast as usual and spent way too much money shopping (birthday shopping that is, so I guess that justifies it). Our husbands joke that they are not going to let us get together any more because we always end up spending money shopping or doing crazy intensive projects. Once Collin was back from Boston we were only home for a day or two before we made our way out to Ely for a little reunion with some of my good friends from high school. We only spent the weekend, but I had a great time catching up with old friends and seeing my family for a short while. Several days after our trip to Ely we flew up to Oregon to see Collin's grandma. Our flight out of Salt Lake left at six in the morning and we had a short lay-over in Long Beach before landing in Portland. Collin's uncle picked us up from the airport and drove us out to Tillamook where Grandma Dean lives, an hour and a half drive. All-in-all Addie was a trooper and did great on her first airplane ride!

Oregon was truly the highlight of my summer. It is such a beautiful place with tons of thing to do that I can't wait till we go back. Our first day there Grandma Dean took us to lunch at the Tillamook Cheese Factory where we loaded up on cheese, jerky, and lots and lots of ice cream. After lunch we drove to Oceanside where we walked on the beach and got a beautiful view of one of Oregon's lighthouses.

 We spent most of the second day at the Tillamook County Fair. While at the fair we came across a concession stand that sold German Duners (Collin's favorite food on the mission). This place even cooked the meat like they do in Germany! Needless to say Collin was in heaven.

Our last day in Oregon we went and toured the Air Museum located in an hugh ex-WW2 blimp hanger. The hanger now houses many different kinds of aircraft but what really struck me was the size and craftsmanship of this massive structure. Later that day Collin's grandma took us all up the coast for lunch. It was a beautiful drive that I honestly don't think I'd ever get sick of.

Overall it was a great family vacation. Our flight home was not as great but we eventually made it home safe and sound... oh the joy of flying on standby.

Entertainment

This is how we entertain Addie on family walks...

And this is Addie's reaction...

Service

Friday I was asked by a young mother I visit teach if I would come help clean her house. She had been struggling with postpartum depression and was falling behind in her house work. So me and Addie went over to visit with her for a bit and help her do some chores around the house. After leaving her house that day all I could think about was how impressed I was that she was brave enough to ask for help when she needed it. I, like many other people, consider myself to be very independent and rarely ask for help-- I honestly think that that way of thinking is just the culture that we live in. I think we feel like we have to do it all on our own and that asking for help would show our weaknesses. I marvel at this young mother's courage to ask for help and am grateful for the opportunity she gave me to serve her and receive the blessing from serving her. I think it is a trait we all need to have a little more of. Heavenly Father set up various programs and calling in the church for a reason that we may receive help and gain support when needed. I know that everything in this life has a purpose and is divinely inspired. I'm grateful for the church and for it's constant reminder that I don't have to go through the trials of this life alone.

I made that!

Remember how I said I was on a big sewing craze not too long ago?... Well here is a little taste of what I've been working on. My sister took these stunning pictures and my sister-in-law modeled this cute pin-tuck shirt I made from scratch! I was so pleased with the final product although it turned out to be a bit too small for me so I'll have to make myself another one that fits better. My mom and sister have already put in requests for me to make them one too. I've also completed a darling maxi skirt and am currently working on a pencil skirt with an exposed zipper. Can't wait to see how it turns out!

To see the tutorial I use click here.

Also to see more great pictures by Hanna Caldwell visit her blog. She has become my personal go-to photographer for everything. I love her work and so does everyone that has their pictures done by her, check it out!

Motherhood

   After a particularly long and tiresome day I happened upon this talk from Elder Holland on motherhood. I was feeling like such a horrible mother because of how frustrated a had become with Addie and I think my Heavenly Father knew I needed a little buoying up.

   Before I knew I was pregnant with Addie I knew I wanted to be a mother someday but at the time felt too young, too ill prepared, and still had many more things I wanted to do before I had a baby. Now having what I have and knowing what I now know, I wouldn't change a thing. While motherhood is a huge responsibility, I cherish it and know I am not alone in it. Motherhood has changed my life in making me more than I am, better than I am, and better than I've ever been. I feel so overwhelmed and honored (and frankly a little terrified) that Heavenly Father places His trust in me to care for some of His precious children to help them someday return to live with Him again. There has been nothing thus far in my life that has brought me more joy and humility then being a mother. Each and every day with Addie is a blessing.

   If any of you mothers out there are experiencing one of those difficult days, read this talk! It is truly a great reminder of the sacred work we have been sent here to do and because it is God's work we will be strengthened, motivated, compensated, and blessed.

Birthday Celebrations

   Another busy week has flown by...who ever knew that life could be so busy being a stay-at-home mom! By the time everyone left last weekend and after being sick for about a week and having severe lack of sleep, my energy was completely spent along with my motivation.  It was my plan to get up Monday and spend all day cleaning my dirty apartment; however, I ended up going to my sister's house in West Jordan for the day because Collin was going up that way for work anyway. I've still not quite adjusted to my sister living 45 minutes away so it is always nice when I get the opportunity to see her. While I am excited to be heading off to graduate school next year, it will be sad when me and my sister live in different states and won't be able to see each other as often. I always have so much fun when we get together! Anyway, Collin and I got home late Monday night and we were up the majority of the rest of the night with Addie so I spent most of Tuesday sleeping when I could. When Wednesday morning rolled along I finally felt like I had enough energy to go work out again. Being sick really set me back in my goal to exercise more, but I could tell the my body needed the rest more. Later that morning some friends of ours invited us to go swimming. It was Addie's first time in the pool and she absolutely loved it!

   Here is a picture of Addie's first time swimming. Although pictures rarely capture her enthusiasm for the outdoors, she loved the water. We had her in the pool for a good 30 minutes before I finally took her out because she looked like she was about to fall asleep. The heat must have worn her out because once we got home she took a good long nap in which time I was able to sew myself a new shirt! I don't have any pictures of it yet but it turned out so cute and it was super easy (post and pictures to come later)!

   Thursday was the beginning of our birthday celebrations! Mine and Collin's birthdays are exactly a week apart so we just celebrate all week long. So far it has included dinner at Red Robins, homemade cheesecake, watching the entire Batman trilogy, new birthday clothes, grilled salmon, and homemade sushi!

   Through all the craziness I finally got around to cleaning my apartment Friday night. It had been several weeks since it was really cleaned and the filth was truly getting the better of me. The rest of the weekend felt much more relaxing being in a clean home... but then again who doesn't feel better in a clean home? Anyway that pretty much sums it up for now. I'll wrap it up with some more cute pictures of Addie, enjoy!

Busy Week

   That burst of motivation and energy I got last week seems to have gotten the better of me. I took off full speed and I think my body is telling me to slow down a little. I woke up with horrible allergies/cold last Wednesday morning but with my newly made goals and the Robertson family reunion that weekend I tried to push through. My family came into town Wednesday afternoon which was the start of the three day Robertson reunion at Hobble Creek Canyon. It has been several years since I've seen a lot of my extended family on my dad's side so it was fun visiting and catching up with many of them. However, by the time Saturday night rolled around I was so exhausted and have literally spent the last three days recuperating.

   Addie has also decided to completely change up her sleeping habits and for the last week has woke up four or more times a night! I don't know why all of a sudden she wakes up every 1-3 hours but after a week of this we have sadly resorted back to having her sleep in her swing at night so we can actually get some sleep. The first night we put her back in her swing she slept for 8 hours straight! I finally ended up waking her up to feed her because I was afraid I might burst. We are still working on catching up on sleep and getting myself over this cold so we haven't really even thought about reintroducing her to her crib again. I just pray that when we do feel ready to tackle that issue that Addie will have an easy transition back to sleeping in her crib. Besides being a little pill at night she continues to melt my heart each and every day. I woke up today planning on being productive but instead ended up snuggling with Addie for a good part of the day...and to be honest, I don't regret it at all. She is such a sweetheart, I love her so much!

 Our little monkey. She went through a phase where she would smile really big every time Collin would say, "poopie doopie!"... so silly.

 During tummy time Addie happened to spit-up then dunked her face in it...haha this just cracks me up.

Last Tuesday we decided to go on a hike as a family near Bridal Veil Fall up Provo Canyon. It was a beautiful day, refreshing, and a great workout pushing her stroller up hill! 

 My sister-in-law, Annelise, let me borrow this jungle play mat and Addie just loves it. She will play under it for a good hour each day.

 Snuggling with daddy...oh how I love them...and her cute farm animal pjs!