oh-TWO-doodles...a very happy birthday

Well, my baby boy turned 2

I'm not sure how I feel about it.

Can't he just stay little forever?

At his 2 year well child visit we learned that he is still in the 90th percentile for height and weight (future football player?). Everytime Dr. Loftus would check his ears, listen to his heart and lungs Dean would say, "Thank you Dogger!"

Dean was spoiled for his birthday. Great G&G Perry came to visit, Grandma Hess came all the way from Idaho to stay with us, Grandma Shirley sent him some fun stuff. Russ, ZZ, Bompa & Maw-mawk came to celebrate too! He even got a sleep over with G&G T and a trip to the aquarium!

Happy Birthday!

Little stinker pulled off part of the "2"  

Mickey Mouse Cupcakes

This boy sure loves Mickey

Great Grandma Perry

The Greats

New toy/mess :)

Grandma & Lu

New helmet to go with his new bike

 New bike!

Grandpa is the bestest artist ever!

 I guess we're going to need to introduce him to Star Wars!

CAKE!!!

Fun at the Park

This is what happens when we have to leave the park...

Lunch date

Picking his new toy from Grandma Shirley

At the Aquarium with Bompa & Maw-Mawk

Personal Progress Faith: A Little Bit Goes a Long Way

Dear Family & Friends,

My current calling is to serve as the Young Women Miamaid Advisor. As I serve and learn about the gospel with the young women of my ward, I have made it a goal to complete Personal Progress again. I am so grateful to participate in this program. It has helped my scripture study habits and the way I teach my own children.

As part of my Faith ten hour project I am in need of your help. I would like to collect as many stories, testimonies and thoughts about faith to make a book. I’d like this collection to be an informal family history book. This could be done as a family (FHE or Sunday activity) or something you do on your own. You can write a long story or a simple thought!

If you need help getting started, here are a few ideas:

·        Read “The Living Christ” and as you do, consider the Savior’s influence in your life and how your faith in Him has increased.
·        How have you demonstrated faith?
·        Describe the blessings you’ve received because of your faith.
·        Write your testimony concerning a gospel principle and how it has helped your faith grow. (paying a full tithe, the plan of salvation, temple attendance, repentance, prayer, fasting, etc…)
·        Children (or adults!) can illustrate a picture of what faith is to them

Thank you so much for helping me record these amazing experiences. I hope by writing our stories they will uplift and encourage those that read them.

I would love to have all stories by February 1, 2015 (Sunday). Please send them to my email or via Facebook message. If you have any questions please call/text/email/facebook.

With love,

Meghan

Just STOP!

As a mother, wife, sister, daughter, miamaid adviser, responsible member of society, etc. I am easily caught up in my continuously expanding checklist. Easily forgetting all the wonderful miracles and blessings surrounding me. A few nights ago I was reminded how precious my baby girl is.

I was at a young women mutual activity when another leader asked to hold Lucy. As I watched her play and talk to Lu, I overheard her ask Lucy to tell her about heaven. After all, it was only three short months ago that Lucy was living there. Aside from attending the temple, Lucy is the closest I can get to heaven on a daily basis. A perfect and precious piece of heaven. It won't be too long before she forgets all about her former home. I need to take time everyday to stop. Stop and silently watch my little angel. She knows it all but just can't tell me about it. I guess I'll have to settle for her adorable coos and mischievous grins.

I am grateful for simple reminders from great examples in my life. I feel incredibly blessed. Sometimes it is difficult to see the blessings through all the trials so stopping is essential. Stop and reflect on what you are doing and what you can do better. I need to regularly put down the phone, get off Instagram, forget about the newly added episodes of Gilmore Girls on Netflix and just STOP! Even though Lucy can't talk yet, stopping to "listen" to her is my favorite time of day. For a few short minutes before Dean wakes up, I get to be with one of heaven's most recent tenants.

a Wink & a Smile

August 25, 2014

If the saying, 

"You Are What You Eat"

 is true... that must mean 

"You Are Who You Hang Out With"

is also true, right?

I believe it is. 

For the last couple of weeks, I have been a 

whiny

sad

stinky

crying

unhappy 

BABY

Lucy has reflux & is simply an unhappy baby. She wasn't always unhappy. She didn't always cry. The first 4 weeks were great. They were tiresome & filled with trial and error but we were all happy. After week four, something switched. Was the change in Lucy? or Mom? Either way we have both been struggling for 3 weeks. 

At night Lucy cries for hours. Nothing seems to help. Less layers, more layers, burping, fresh diaper, more food, less food, swaddled, un-swaddled...

I've tried everything. 

Now at night we both cry together. It is a terrible cycle. I don't know what to do for my crying baby and Calin doesn't know what to do for his crying baby (me). 

I keep hearing, "it will get better"

I'm not interested in hearing that phrase

ONE MORE TIME

unless it actually does get better... immediately!

Though all the hours of tears & screaming leave me deaf and exhausted,

today she smiled. 

Like a magic button, my frustration disappeared. My reset button was pressed.

She was happy so I was happy. I of course cried but these were tears of happiness.

This is the first time I've seen her big eyes crinkle into a smile and her mouth turn upwards.

A glimmer of hope.

One smile made me forget the last 21 days of frowns.

So, no matter what kind of day you're having, SMILE! It may erase someone else's bad day (or month). 

I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar!

I AM STRONG (STRONG)

I AM INVINCIBLE (INVINCIBLE)

I AM WOMAN!!!

I know, I know... Super cheesy to quote a song (especially because I only know this song because of watching Sex & the City 2) Judge me :) I own it...

Last week I was privileged to attend a day of BYU Women's Conference. Somehow I had won tickets by entering a contest on someone else's blog. I never win ANYTHING! I was flabbergasted that I actually won something and not just something, tickets to a day of spiritual power.

If I had to describe my day at the conference, it would definitely be EMPOWERED.

I know it's super cheesy to say but, after leaving the conference I felt like a new woman. Stronger, wiser and empowered. Reflecting on the words I wrote while sitting in the closing session I don't think I can sum it up any better...

"As I sit listening to the words of my leaders, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I am in a large stadium ( the Marriott Center). It is filled with over 15,000 women. Women who are just like me but completely different. We are all searching for something. Searching for ways to perfect ourselves. We all have a desire to learn and become better. A better daughter, wife, mother, visiting teacher, student, etc..."

I was humbled to be among thousands of faithful women.

I often feel like I am in a race with others. Who has a better lawn, where I buy my clothes, if my house is always clean, blah, blah, blah... I think I learned a very important lesson. I am NOT in a race with others. My opponent is the adversary. He wants me to think I am in a race with others. I should be happy for others beautiful green lawns, nice shoes and clean house. We can all learn & grow from each other. Sitting in a giant "room" with my fellow sisters, I truly wanted to be happy for each of their successes.

I am grateful that I was able to go for one short day (thanks to my husband who stayed home with Dean!)

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! 

I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow him in faith. 

Mom, Kenzie, Me

Last two pics are for those who haven't been on BYU campus lately. I was surprised to see a missing road :) Looks really nice though!

Our SEALIEST Day at the Zoo

April 11, 2014

I know. I know. This blog title is a terrible pun....so ZOO me ;)

We recently made a trip to the Hogle Zoo. It was Dean's first time to the zoo. We have been working on our animal sounds so, I was excited to show him the real live animals! Unfortunately a big portion of the zoo was still under construction so we weren't able to see his best animal noise--the king of the jungle, Mr. Lion. 

Besides the missing African animals, we had a blast! Grandma Kitty and ZZ joined us in our zoo adventure. It was a perfect day to be outside and talk with the animals. 

He insisted on pushing his stroller... 

He was really scared of the otter at first. It took some time to warm up to him but when he did... 

Otter got a smooch 

Dean's all time favorite animals were the sea lions and seals. 

I'm sure he could have spent HOURS staring into the water 

Reptile house with Da-Da. I took one step inside and immediately backed out. The smell is usually pretty strong but with my prego-sniffer, it was horrendous! 

Get it?? Cuz I'm big like an elephant... 

Perfect Zoo Day!