One Year Wonderful

We decided to have a big party for the babies. It was a lot of work but I'm glad we did. You only turn 1 once! Thank you to everyone who came and brought gifts--they are completely entertained and well dressed for a very long time:) Here are a million pictures so we can remember it forever and so you can feel like you were all there! Especially for aunts and uncles who couldn't be there. Love you guys--->

Their Birthday Invitations designed by their talented and loving aunt Mallory

A new tradition, take a bath with dad after cake smash! There was a lot going on so they were kinda grumpy. Oh well. The cake smash was hilarious, they kept shaking their hands to get the frosting off. Then Charlee tried to escape but we wouldn't let her haha so mean! Don't look too closely at those cakes...They did not turn out the way I wanted them to! I had some major issues and ran out of time to try again. But they were smashed anyway and I was happy to see them destroyed. During their birthday song Charlee started singing along it was so adorable. My mom was so wonderful and I helped her make potato cheese soup and rolls and craisen salad for dinner, Grammy and Grandy brought ham buns and we also made texas sheet cake banana cake and marble and fun fetti cup cakes!!! There was tons of good food and yummy deserts to be had. So much Love and hard work went into this party and I'm so pleased with how it turned out. Good memories and pictures to remember forever. Happiest of Birthdays to my TWINS!

three hundred and sixty five days

I have had the absolute privilege of spending an entire year with the sweetest most loving little babies. I remember the first week perfectly. I remember all the excitement and happiness these two brought to our family. I remember staying up all night watching holiday movies on the hallmark channel and feeling happy and blessed. This week Stephen and I have been reminiscing of all the cute little newborn things they did. I love it, we have such fond memories (and a lot of "blur") The first year holds so many changes! Every time we got set in a rhythm they would grow out of it and we would find a new balance. once I got used to the idea of them rolling they started sitting on their own then crawling! We got the hang of nursing and pumping then we moved on to solids then formula then real people food! Every day brings something new for them to explore and figure out. We are on the walking phase currently. Bear loves walking with his little truck and pushing his sissy along. Its the most adorable thing you will ever witness. But I have had to force sis to do some of the walking, and she has decided she'd much rather ride. We have to make sure brother is busy with a different toy because he thinks its his job to push and he is very good at it. Maybe we need two:) He got to the point of taking a few steps without holding on then full on just took off the other day. It takes my breath away almost to see it! Who would have guessed this could be such an exciting thing. Bear has 6 teeth and Charlee has a whopping 2. It has been so entertaining to watch who accomplishes what first. C nursed better then B took a bottle faster then C rolled first B ate solids better C slept better B said "bababa" first C crawled first B got the first tooth C stood up on her own first B climbed the stairs first C clapped first and now B is walking first. At least its been pretty equal! They take turns:) Some of my favorite things charlee does right now are-- stick her tongue out, I mean that thing is everywhere! I don't want to say this out loud but it makes me think of Miley Cyrus (reference the 2013 VMAs) it is hilarious. She also sticks her lips out like a pucker and blows. She is pretty funny. She also likes to try to get in/out of the bath tub. She gets her little leg up there and it's just the most adorable thing. Now if you could imagine the tounge and leg combo and it's just too much cuteness. She's very wiggly. Once she starts walking she is going to be wild! She loves the toilet and my shoes. Bear loves the bear crawl. He walks with his tiny steps as best he can but still knows that crawling on his toes and hands is the most efficient route for him. His auntie Camber got him some bear claw slippers and we got the cutest video of him bear crawling in them. He loves to be chased! He thinks its the funniest thing. Especially when I go to get them from their cribs he will run and hide in the corner laughing. So fun. Now when he is walking to you he puts his arms straight out in front of him like Frankenstein and sometimes waves them in the air while letting out happy screams. They both really like to be held and played with, which makes my days rather tough yet fun filled. They love being tossed on the bean bag and it's a special treat when mom turns on the radio and we have a dance party. I love when they start laughing and burry their faces in the bean bag! They are into EVERYTHING so I am especially grateful for this small space we are in currently, it makes one man defense manageable. They are so smiley and happy its hard to get mad. We spent every moment we possibly could outside this fall (this whole year really) the weather was absolutely gorgeous. They ate plenty of dirt rocks leaves grass and tomatoes from the garden. We took several trips (way more than I planned-mainly because they love to ride in the car) we spent loads of time at grandparents houses getting spoiled rotten (this continues on a daily basis due to the fact we live with my parents right now) I could go on and on about how wonderful this year has been and how awesome adorable sweet and lovable my kids are... but for some reason I keep looking ahead. Once they fall asleep at night I love looking back on pictures. Its probably my favorite pass time ever. But as much as they have learned this year I anticipate all they will learn! If I thought this last year was hard at all...I have a strong feeling this next one will give me a run for my money. I nervously await all the trouble and messes these two crazy kids are going to cause. But I excitedly await their first REAL words, all the giggles, running, jumping, tripping, hand holding, treats, adventures, love, cuddles etc that will heavily outweigh all the messes. This next year will be a busy one that is for sure with starting construction on our new home in February. What a blessing it is to be living with such great babysitters and to have our new home just a mile away. We are beginning a new and unknown chapter in our lives and very anxiously await everything 2014 has in store for us while appreciating all the blessings and memories 2013 gave us. We love you more than anything Bearett and Charlotte. You have brought nothing but joy and sunshine into the lives of all who have been privileged to meet you. Thank you so much for being such good and happy babies. Thank you for choosing our family. Happy birthday Twins.

Charlee taking some selfies

For the LOVE of conference.

"If the bitter cup does not pass, drink it and be strong, trusting in happier days ahead." 

"If we do not take time to be well, we will surely take time to be ill later on." HOLLAND 

"I gave him to you because I knew you could and would love him no matter what he did.”

EYRING 

Fast & Testimony

I find my heart is overflowing this fast Sunday with many things to express but too many emotions to find the words. That is where a keyboard comes in handy. Today our ward went through many changes, the bishop and his counselors thought it might be funny to play a big game of "upset the fruit basket" I think. They reorganized the relief society presidency and called my amazing mother as the first councilor. I am so proud of this remarkable woman. She of course feels over whelmed and under qualified but many who know her think differently. She has so many talents. Especially while living in her home the last few months I have become more and more aware of her vast knowledge. The other day Charlee spilled the scentsy all over the carpet--yikes. But grandma to the rescue taught me to remove it using an iron and paper towels! Amazing. That is just one example. I love my mother and I'm so happy to sustain and support her in this calling. The new president, Lanette Pollard, is one incredible lady. She was my young womens president growing up. I think the absolute world of her. I know that she was called at this specific time so that I can be here in the ward to benefit from her testimony and faithfulness. I was called to be in Activity days again and couldn't be more thrilled. Perfect calling. And Stephen and my dad get to serve in Primary. I'm so happy they are putting us to work! I can honestly say that I am blessed beyond measure. I often find myself thinking "this is as good as it gets" only to be surprised with more blessings and joy than I could have ever imagined for myself. I almost feel like its too much, that one person isn't meant to find this much happiness in mortality. I wonder what the big trial of my life will be. If something might happen and I may feel as if it has all been ripped away from me. Every month people get up and bear their testimonies of the trials they are faced with and the growth they have felt come from it. Brother Junior in our ward suffered a major stroke a few years ago and the gift of speech was taken from him. He has a voice but cannot form words, he speaks in noises and slurs. Regardless, he always gets up and bears his testimony. It is so incredibly powerful. I almost feel as if I know what he is saying which is one of the greatest and most profound gifts of the spirit. I especially love when he flashes a thumbs up or an "okay" sign. He has remarkable faith. This last week I stumbled upon a blog of a young mother who lost her 4 year old daughter one year ago. Her heart stopped. By the time they revived her it was too late. Her sweet 4 year old brain couldn't handle the trauma. While reading her story (tears upon tears streaming down my face) I felt her anger and her overwhelming sorrow. Why did this happen? Is this really the plan for their family? To go through life with a giant hole where their sister/daughter/granddaughter should be? What is she supposed to learn from this? How could she possibly grow? Now a year later this sweet girls family is doing service in her name. Donating, helping, helping, loving, giving in the sweet name of Mia! I was sharing this with Stephen and he had some amazing insight. He said the Lord knows us, every choice we make and every thing we have done and even who we are and who we can become. The Lords plan is not to take away our joy or have bad things happen to us. He feels everything we feel. The Lord is the only one who can foresee the good that can come from trials we are faced with. That is his plan for us, the end result. The stumbling blocks in between are opportunities for us to draw closer to him and trust in his endless love for us. To become the very best version of ourselves so that we can be a servant in his hands. It was very humbling to me. I need to stop being preoccupied with with the "what if's" and just enjoy my Heavenly Fathers love. Be grateful beyond measure for the blessings beyond measure. I think I will go give my babies an extra kiss goodnight. They are proof that God loves me and wants me to be happy.