"Mom, Put your Heart On!"

I have to preface this post by explaining that I do this thing with Thais where I tell her to put on her "listening ears" before I tell her something important that she needs to do. It's really cute, Thais pretends to grab imaginary ears and put them on and then she says that she's ready to listen.

That being said, last night we went out for dinner and Skyler was finishing a treat from dinner on the car ride home. Thais started complaining that she wanted some of Skyler's treat, and I refused her multiple times telling her that she already finished her's in the restaurant. Finally, as a last resort she said, " Mom, I need you to put your heart on and let me have some of Skylee's treat!!" I started gut laughing in the car, and Thais started laughing too and she said, "Mom, you think this is so funny but you still didn't put your heart on!"

Oh Boy! What do I do with this girl? :O)

Happy Birthday Skylee Boy!

My little son with sweeping lashes,
catch his eye, a smile he flashes.
Loves those nanas mama mashes.
Oh, how I love you!

Adore that hair atop your head,
now partial to the color red.
Love to snuggle in my bed.
Oh, how I love you!

Already moving from here to there,
pulling yourself up on chairs.
Exploring life without a care.
Oh, how I love you!

Love to watch you in the bath
and see your sister make you laugh,
Finding treats along your path.
Oh, I how I love you!

Looking in your eyes of blue,
I find a spirit I once knew.
Your eyes tell me you see it too.
My son, how I love you

Today, one year ago, was a really good day because this is the day I met Skyler. I believe it was love at first sight...

Happy Birthday Kiddo!

Here are our Halloween adventures for a tiny turtle and and an orange fairy.


Thais all dressed up for her pre-school class Halloween party. I love how kids get loaded up with candy the entire week of Halloween :O)

Tyler, Kenzie and Thais at their Pre-School.

Our ward put on the cutest Halloween party ever! There were tons of carnival games that the kids could win candy and prizes. Thais LOVED the games and wanted to play long after mom and dad were totally pooped. Here she is trying her hand at Plinko.

The Highlight of Skylee's Halloween was chasing around a basketball. That's a good sign Jordy...your kid might just be a baller yet!

LOVE this picture! This is Thais and her buddy Linden. The look on his face is so priceless!

Check out our cute friends who are way more spirited than Me and Jordan. Someday we will be cool and dress up!

A Story Jordan's Family Will Appreciate!

Jordan has this loving pet name for his family members when he is giving them a hard time and that is to call them "Big Dogs". So examples of what Jordan might say to his family are, "who ate all of the left overs you Big Dogs?" or "Johnny Long Legs isn't the only book I've read you Big Dogs!" Well apparently, Thais has picked up on her Father's lingo with only one minor exception; she thinks Jordan is saying Duck instead of Dog and has now taken to calling everyone a "Big Duck." When I asked her where she learned to call people a duck she said, "Daddy says it!" Here are just a few examples of what we've heard in the past few days:

Jordan: (while in front of guests) Thais go do this for me please.
Thais: (also in front of guests) Okay, you Duck.
Guests: Did she just call you a Duck????

Thais's Friend: (just said something silly, I don't remember what is was)
Thais: (while laughing) Ahh, you're funny you Big Duck!


Jordan and I just discussed this recent addition to our daughter's vocabulary tonight and we decided it's probably not a good idea for Thais to go around calling her parents (and everyone else for that matter) Ducks. So we agreed that we were going to work on getting her to stop. Little did we know she was listening intently to our conversation and she announced right before family prayer, " I am not going to say Duck anymore....Or butt!"

She's a character I tell ya!

It was a Beautiful Day!

Jenn and Tim imitating the guy in front of them who was getting DOWN to u2's opening act the Black Eyed Peas. Apparently he really liked that Boom Boom Pow!

Bono's Favorite Fans. Well, maybe Jenn!


One item off of your bucket list crossed of Jordy! Now are we off to Wimbledon?

The 26.2 Long Version Of My Marathon.

Running a marathon usually starts with a spark of inspiration. Whether it's proving you can do something difficult, the desire to try something new, losing weight, or there may be some who just really get off on running for 26.2 miles (I don't get it) but I know they're out there. The point is I gained my inspiration when a couple of friends Jamie and Lacy, decided to run one in Ogden. I think up until that point I thought only crazy distance runners and Kenyans attempted marathons, and surely I would never be able to complete one. But as I witnessed my friends work hard and train, it occurred to me for the first time that maybe I could do one too; at least I was mildly curious if I could really do it. So, a year later (and some new baby weight later) I was pretty open to the idea when my friend Cherise told me about the St. George Marathon. I talked my pal Janette into signing up with me and before I knew it, I was in the lottery to run. I'll never forget the deer in the headlights feeling I felt when I got the news that I was in the marathon. It was a little daunting to think of the training I would have to do solo, but at the same time really exciting to have something to work for. I enjoyed my runs in Dallas. We needed a change of scenery and that's exactly what my runs provided. It was so therapeutic to drive over to the lake and soak in my new surroundings. I think Marana is great and all, but it is really lacking in the greenery department. I couldn't get enough of Dallas's manicured lawns and lush trees.I really felt connected to Heavenly Father through those runs while admiring his creations.

It was nice to come home though and have a training partner for a few weeks! Janette is quite possibly one of the coolest girls I know, and it was fun to spend time with her after being gone all summer. She introduced Jeff Galloway's training style and that proved to be incredibly helpful during the actual race.Janette is also one of the toughest girls I know, and despite some major setbacks while training, she persevered and was incredibly inspiring to me.

It was also neat to have so many people from our ward and in Marana Participating. A few Days before the race Jen Lynn organized a breakfast with all the girls and it was fun to hear about every one's training and thoughts going into our first marathon. Jen made kick booty Cd's for each of us and Cherise designed awesome t-shirts for everyone to wear after the race.

The day of the race, I was just REALLY excited. It was kind of nice entering a race where I had no expectations for myself...it really took the pressure off and allowed me to just enjoy every moment. There is this incredible inertia that happens when the gun goes off and you are surrounded by hundreds of runners. I simply basked in the positive energy that sort of permeates the air.

Janette and I couldn't believe it when we were 8 miles down because we felt so amazing. We talked and laughed casually, and my body felt strong and unstoppable. So many times during this process I have marveled at what my body can do and I have thanked Heavenly Father for it! Then at about mile 12/13 I tweaked my knee somehow. It ended up being no big deal, but I sort of panicked for a few minutes because it hurt to extend my knee and I had to stop running. I told Janette to go ahead and offered a quick prayer asking Heavenly Father to allow me to keep running. I hoped my prayer would be answered and after stretching my knee for a minute, I felt it move back in place and I was good to go. On a cool side note, right at that moment I Will Rest In You by Mindi Gledhill came on my ipod and as I continued to run I cried for a minute because I knew my prayer had been specifically answered.

The other thing that I was SO GRATEFUL for during this race was the support of family. My Jordy was there at three different points in the race holding up a sign "DANIELLE IS MY HERO!" I so needed that. It felt so good to see my name (especially at mile 23!). My parents were there, Jordan's parents were there, my brother and his cute wife flew in from California, Sarah and Craig and several of my cousins and aunts/uncles came to cheer me on.I felt so blessed and so loved!

Crossing the finish line was amazing. Despite the buckling knees it was incredible to come down the homestretch with hundreds of people cheering me on. It all felt really symbolic to our journey here on earth; I almost felt like a living object lesson of the plan of salvation. All along the marathon road you see and feel setbacks, tears, triumphs, perseverance, heartache and yet you watch all of these people still will themselves to keep moving and endure to the finish. The joy's we felt came through the friendly smiles and encouraging words along the way, but even more importantly,we felt joy for just being given the opportunity to run the race.

I am so grateful for this experience! It was worth the 26.2 miles and ridiculously sore muscles :O)







Marilynn's magnificent Pre Race Meal! I am almost tempted to run another one just to get to do the carb loading!

Chrissy, Me and Janette on our way to the buses.


Janette and Me just before the start of the race.

I believe this is mile 7. It was such a great sight to see!

Chrissy, Cherise and Emily! Look at these hot mamas!

My Running shirt that said, "Happy Birthday Mom!"


My favorite Peeps in the whole world!!

Proof!

I still don't have the pictures yet from the Marathon, but I thought I would display this "proof" I received from the marathon committee as proof that I really did run my first (and possibly last) marathon! I want to share some of my thoughts and feelings of going through this process, but I think I'll wait until I have the rest of my pictures. For now, just know that I finished, I am finally walking straight, and it was one of the coolest things I have ever done :O)

Our Halloween Craft

I have to say I am not very good at decorating for the Holidays. We have a friend in our home ward, who for every holiday would absolutely transform her home. I don't think I have the passion/patience to go all out like that, so here is my small attempt for some Halloween spirit! Thais and I drove around Marana and found the creepiest looking branches we could find and then put our Halloween Tree together. I am learning it doesn't matter what you do, kids are just happy spending time with you and it's fun to make the holiday's special.

A Girls Night Out

The Barnum and Bailey Circus came to Dallas and I was so excited to get tickets and take the cutest girl I know!




Here is Thais in front of the AAA center.

I LOVED the elephants. It was amazing to watch all of their snazzy tricks! Thais and I look forward to seeing the elephants every time we go to the zoo, but there they just stand lethargically and eat, elephants are way cooler at the circus :O)

Thais and I had a spread of Lolly pops, popcorn, spicy juice (Thais's word for soda), and gummy candy. At one point she turned to me and enthusiastically exclaimed, "This is the best day EVER!"

With all the craziness of two kids, I haven't had really any one on one time with my girl. Thais,you are my favorite! I get such a kick out of your personality and there were so many times that night I watched you in awe. You have suddenly evolved into this independent little girl, with a spirit all your own, rather than just my baby. I am so glad Heavenly Father blessed me with a daughter that I can laugh with, will always keep me on my toes, and will be my forever friend!

A Little Homesick!

Thais is officially ready to be back in Arizona. I think every day for the past month we have little conversations that go like this:

Thais- Mom, Arizona is crying right now!
Me- Why Thais?
Thais-Because Arizona misses me mom! I need to go give Arizona a big hug!

0r

Me-Don't you think all of this green grass is pretty Thais?
Thais-Arizona has grass
Me- Not like this..look at all the grass and flowers and trees
Thais- I like the trees better in Arizona!

or

Thais- Mom, I miss my bike in Arizona
Me- I know Thaisy bug..i'm sorry
Thais- I can't like Texas! I miss Arizona


What can I say the girl loves her state!

4th of July Festivities

This has nothing to do with the 4th, but I just had to post it really fast because it's a classic. Poor Skylee...one day you'll be big enough to get her back :O)

Skyler and Thais in their 4th of July outfits. Molly and Ben sent Skyler's outfit to him before he was born....He wore it with pride Molly :o)


Sarah and Alethia at the little morning 4th of July parade. Alethia was such a darling little fire cracker.

Thais just hangin' with the girls during the parade.

Virginia holding Skylee boy!

APX got us all tickets to the Rangers game. What a perfect way to spend the 4th..America's favorite game. Here is Courtney and Thais walking over to the stadium.

Check out the look of excitement on this kid's face for his first professional baseball game!

Mama and her boy!

Thais and Daddy enjoying a dog together. Thais absolutely LOVED it. She was officially the Rangers cutest fan!

Dallas Photo Album

We have a Children's Place outlet here in Dallas, and unfortunately for the family finances, but fortunately for me, they were having an amazing sale. Check out my $0.99 hats for Thais and Skylee Boy.






Thais and Skyler have become such good buddies! No one can make Skyler laugh like his big sis can!



**GYMNASTICS**

We FINALLY decided to put Thais in gymnastics. Look she even has the pose down :O)
v

Can we say future Gold Medalist or what !?!

All the kiddos in her class :O)

This picture is a bit random, but I have to explain Thais's favorite pass time. The girl is a social butterfly. I happened to have my camera with me as I was unloading groceries and this is Thais just chatting it up with the car next to us. I don't know if you can tell in this picture, but the guy in the passenger seat could not stop laughing while Thais was saying, "Hi, what's your name? What are you doing? What's in your bag? Why do you have a flower in your car?" It's pretty funny to see all of this personality coming out of this little girl.

Who says shopping is boring when you're three?

I've spent a lot of time at the Children's Place this week. At one point, I couldn't find Thais and went looking for her, only to find her happily playing dress up with a new friend.

Check out Thaisy styling in her new threads. She said she wanted the glasses so she could look like "Ancy Ancy," aka Fancy Nancy.

My mom and dad came out for a visit, b/c my dad had a business trip in Texas. Here we are feeding the ducks with Thais. You've gotta love mom's nemo blanky skirt! I love you mom.

This has been a summer of Skyler experiencing different foods for the first time. Watermelon is his new favorite.

Here he is with his first nectarine. I'm not sure if more of this thing got in his mouth or on his car seat. Look at those baby blues!

I met a cute girl at the temple who invited us to play with her little girl the same age as Thais. As an added bonus, Thais got to ride a pony and hold baby chicks.

Here are some pictures of new friends Thais and Skyler have made. It has been a huge blessing for us to find some kids their age :o)